Land Reform Education for Miss Zimbabwe Finalists
Thirty-two finalists for the Miss Zimbabwe pageant gathered in Harare last week on Friday for a two week camp ahead of the event's grand finale on February 12, 2011. While they are in camp the girls have a busy programme that includes visits to tourist attractions and land reform education.
The camp was officially launched at a sashing ceremony held in the VIP lounge at the Harare International Conference Centre on Friday. The ceremony was attended by Senate President Edna Madzongwe, ZTA Chief Executive Officer Karikoga Kaseke, Miss Zimbabwe Trust Patron Kiki Divaris, outgoing Miss Tourism Zimbabwe Samantha Tshuma and other notable guests.
Yesterday (Monday, January 31), the girls met with Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi and were addressed by Agriculture Minister Joseph Made on the merits and background to Zimbabwe's land reform programme.
Today, they will travel to Masvingo to see the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe where they will end the day with a sunset cruise of Lake Mutirikwi and spend the night at the Great Zimbabwe Hotel. Tomorrow they will tour Great Zimbabwe Village before returning to Harare.
The rest of the week includes presentations on Women in Tourism by Mrs C. Mutasa, Youth Empowerment by Youth Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, Entrepreneurship by Phillip Chiyangwa and HIV & AIDS by Population Services International representatives.
On Friday they will dine with some of Harare's top personalities at a cocktail dinner hosted by the city's mayor, His Worship Muchadeyi Masunda and will wake up the next morning to breakfast with some of the most influential women in Zimbabwe, hosted by Kiki Divaris.
Come Sunday, the contestants fly to Victoria Falls where they will have lunch with Governor Mathuthu and town mayor, His Worship Nkosilathi Jiyani. A sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi river will end their hectic week.
Monday will see them tour the rain forest at the falls and take part in a photo shoot on location. For many of them this will be their first chance to see the amazing wonder that is the Victoria Falls. They will also tour a crocodile farm before they fly back to the capital.
The two week camp will also include daily gym sessions, grooming and rehearsals for the pageant's final.
