adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
FORMER Miss Zimbabwe Bongani Dhlakama has a sent good wishes to models contesting the Miss Zimbabwe pageant tonight — urging her successor to bear the crown with pride as it is the most prestigious title in the country.Miss Zimbabwe 2014 will be crowned tonight at a contest taking place at the Mabvazuva Village in Harare. The event will be broadcast live on ZBCtv from 8.30PM. A total of 15 beauties including Bulawayo’s Mellisa Chaka and Thabiso Phiri will battle it out for the crown.
Speaking to Chronicle Showbiz, Dhlakama said although she was not invited to witness the crowning of her successor, she was pleased that a new queen would finally be crowned tonight.
“I did not get a formal invite to the pageant and I am not in a position to part with $300 for a ticket to the show. That is like half my tuition fees for my degree programme.
“Whoever wins the Miss Zimbabwe crown should bear in mind that she is now representing the country, so whatever she does at an international stage represents Zimbabwe. She should keep her head up and stay positive as people will have their own opinion about her whether good or bad,” she said.
Dhlakama said the new Miss Zimbabwe should hit the ground running and quickly prepare for Miss World.
“When I went to Miss World, I was ill prepared because I had little time to get my things in order. The person who will be crowned Miss Zimbabwe should be preparing for the Miss World contest as soon as possible so as to have a shot at the title,” she said.
In 2012, the then 23-year-old Dhlakama virtually funded her preparations for the Miss World finals as she was forced to use her prize money for accommodation and other requirements.
Dhlakama said she enjoyed her reign as Miss Zimbabwe although it had its ups and downs and thanked Zimbabwe for affording her the opportunity.
She said during her reign, she was involved in numerous projects, chief among them being the cervical cancer ambassador.
“I was the cervical cancer ambassador before I moved on to work with Mashamba Zhou Care facility for HIV infected adults,” said Dhlakama.
Questioned when she would have children of her own, Dhlakama said plans were well in place for her to be married.
“If all goes according to plan, I will have children of my own in 2016. I am in a relationship and I am very happy. He lives in Bulawayo, that’s all I can say,” she said.
Turning to her career, Dhlakama said she was working at Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) and studying at the same time.
“I have been working at ZTA and studying for my Bachelor in Arts Degree in Developmental Studies with the Midlands State University. I am in my second year.
“I will see if I can set up a modelling school in the future if all goes well,” she said.
Online Reporter