Miss Zim pageant in crisis

THE Miss Zimbabwe pageant finals have been moved once again as the organisers seek to find the best girl to represent the country on the international stage.
The national finals were scheduled to take place tomorrow night in Harare. 
The Miss Zimbabwe Trust was not happy with the calibre of girls who won in their respective provinces and have decided to move the finals to allow time for fresh selection of provincial winners.
In an interview Miss Zimbabwe Trust organising secretary Sibusisiwe Mazibuko said the final had been moved but could not shed light on when they would be held.
"The final is not taking place on Friday but please talk to the chairperson for more details," said Mazibuko.
Initially, the finals were scheduled to take place on 26 July and were moved to 16 August.Provincial competitions were held and queens chosen but the majority failed to meet the criteria.
Sources said the organisers wanted to do the selection of the provincial winners themselves.Last year the pageant was dogged by financial problems but it seems this year the challenge is lack of quality models. The delays in hosting the pageant are raising fears that Zimbabwe might not take part at this year's Miss World competition.
The Miss World deadline was 28 July but the Miss Zim Trust had appealed for an extension of the date.
A significant number of countries have submitted their beauty queens who are already preparing for the Miss World finals to be held on 28 September.
If delayed, Zimbabwe's beauty might experience the same predicament as Miss Zimbabwe 2012, Bongani Dhlakama, who did not have sufficient time to prepare. She failed to sufficiently work on her beauty with a Purpose Project before the event. The project carries significant marks.
Former model and chairperson of the Miss Zim Trust Mary Mubaiwa-Chiwenga and her team disqualified a total of 11 finalists among them Miss Bulawayo saying they failed to meet the criteria.
The move has however, dampened spirits of modelling lovers across the country particularly in Bulawayo  from where the majority of former Miss Zimbabwe queens hail.
Mubaiwa-Chiwenga could not be reached for comment to shed light on when the finals would be held.Unconfirmed reports said the Miss Zim Trust was planning on engaging inaugural Miss Carnival Dananai Chipunza to take part in the national finals.
Stakes have also been raised for the winners of the Miss Zimbabwe finals.
A prize of $50 000 for the title winner and vehicles for each of the top three winners are up for grabs.