Miss Africa Zimbabwe eyes Miss Africa crown

Miss Africa Zimbabwe Maita Kainga says she got into modelling by mistake since she had a passion for sport when she was growing up.

The 22-year-old model who was crowned Miss Africa Zimbabwe in March after shrugging off competition from 15 other contestants is set to represent Zimbabwe at the Miss Africa pageant to be held in Botswana next year.

"I was passionate about sport as I grew up and I didn't know the modelling potential in me," she told The Standard Style.

"I only discovered my modelling side after high school in 2014 when I won the Miss 21st February Movement pageant. My sister had helped me enter the pageant and I really enjoyed it."

Kainga was born in Harare in 1993 and attended Gateway Primary School and Gateway High School. During her time at high school, she played hockey for the national team, a sport which she is still passionate about.

"Apart from modelling, I'm into sport and once played for the national hockey team. I still enjoy hockey and I play in the Harare Hockey Women's League," said the model who is studying towards a degree in Commerce and Economics at the Midlands State University.

She has taken part in a number of pageants that include Miss World Zimbabwe where she won Miss Zimbabwe People's Choice and Miss Carnival 2014. She was crowned queen at the Miss MSU pageant in 2014 and last year, she won the Exquisite Model of the Year.

"Modelling hasn't changed my life much yet. I have only been in the industry for two years, so, I'm learning and growing. I believe I can scale dizzy heights and that is possible. What I can say, is that I am now a moulded young lady who carries herself with a lot more of orderliness than ever before," she said.

Miss Africa Zimbabwe pageant is hosted by Bulawayo-based Fingers Modelling Agency and celebrates the beauty of African women.

Kainga said she won the pageant after she had corrected her mistakes from previous pageants.

"I took time in preparing for the competition, using some of the experience I gained from other pageants. All in all, I worked very hard as I wanted to win this one," she said.

Kainga said she was looking forward to grooming young girls who wanted to pursue modelling as a career.

"To the young girls who are perusing modelling as a career, do not let anyone pull you down. The sky is the limit, you should know yourself well and work hard to make it to the top. Push for your dream because we need more educated and powerful women taking the lead," she said.

Ghanaian model Rebecca Asamoah was crowned the first Miss Africa at the inaugural pageant held at Johannesburg's Gold Reef City casino.

Runner-up was Michelo Malambo of Zambia, while South Africa's Jemimah Kandimiri was placed third.

About 40 contestants from across the continent will take to the ramp in Botswana next year.