HARARE - Miss Zimbabwe Trust unveiled pictures of contestants of this year's pageant to be held on February 25 in Harare.
The beauties mostly in their teens and 20s come from wide-ranging backgrounds. Most of them are students and one is a grade four teacher.
Yvonne Chiwara, the trust's spokesperson told reporters that there was a shift in the date for the pageant.
The pageant was supposed to be held on February 21 but Chiwara said they shifted it to the 25th to allow commemoration of President Mugabe's birthday.
She promised a different showcase. This year the beauties would be pre-judged during a period leading to the event.
Of the 35 contestants from the provinces 18 contestants would finally walk the ramp and be judged on the final night.
Chiwara said the contestants will go into boot camp three weeks leading to the final night. "They are going into boot camp in Marondera.
"Contestants would be completely isolated and they would be trained on etiquette, entrepreneurship and other issues regarding how they can be responsible leaders. All this would be packaged into reality TV."
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, (ZTA) ran the pageant for six years before announcing last year that the country's prestigious beauty event was returning to the Miss Zimbabwe Trust.
Last year's pageant was reduced to a Zanu PF spectacle with models being quizzed on Zanu PF history and philosophy.
Despite a number of issues that left the pageant without much of its luster, ZTA was able to market the event.
Models were exposed to the country's top tourism destinations and a luxurious lifestyle synonymous with the beauty industry world over.
However, Miss Zimbabwe Trust does not seem to have strong financial means to expose the beauties to opulence.
Two weeks ago all contestants were brought to Harare for a media photo shoot and were accommodated at a city lodge, a far cry from the hotels during ZTA's era.
Chiwara explained that the trust was just starting and could face some challenges but the show will go on.
Below are the contestants' pictures and profiles curtsey of Zimbabwean showbiz website, Zimbojam which published the pictures on Thursday.
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Lisa Ablant (19)
First Princess, Miss Manicaland
First Year Animal Science Student at Africa University
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I want to be a national ambassador for my country and I would like to champion tourism.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… making it possible for girls who leave school early due to pregnancy or marriage to resume their studies. |
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Sandra Chanakira (24)
Second Princess, Miss Chitungwiza
ZBCtv Presenter, Diploma in Travel & Tourism Student
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I believe I can do it. Where you come from does not determine where you are going or the opportunities you can have.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… Working with the elderly and a cholera awareness project in Chitungwiza. |
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Melissa Chikerema (20)
Miss Mashonaland Central
Studying Group Accounting at Ilsa College
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… it will create opportunities and open doors for me in my endeavour to be a business woman.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… To source cheaper sanitary wear for Zimbabwean women. |
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Valence Chingonzo (20)
First Princess, Miss Bulawayo
Journalism Student at ZDECO, Sports presenter on ZBC
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I'm a
patriot. I love Zimbabwe and want to do something for my country. I
would like to be involved with charity work and to carry out projects
to empower young people and promote domestic tourism.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be…
to create a platform to help young people to start up businesses and
other projects. My focus would be on those aged 18 to 30. |
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Euginia Chiyangwa (18)
Miss Chitungwiza
Awaiting O'Level Results
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I want to change the whole nation. I also think that the title represents dignity.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… to address the drug abuse problems that young people in Zimbabwe struggle with today. |
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Bongani Dlakama (23)
Miss Bulawayo
Executive Assistant at the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and Development Studies student at MSU
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I have an
affinity for modelling and I believe Miss Zimbabwe should be someone
who is humble, considerate, down to earth and who helps the poor, which
are qualities that I embody.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… focussing
on the youth. I would want to do something with a children's hospital
or with children's homes working with children under 16 years old. This
would involve buying toys, clothes and groceries for them. |
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Precious Dube (24)
Second Princess, Miss Bulawayo
Was receptionist but left to set up her own commodity broking business
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I reflect a true Zimbabwean person in my values, culture, tradition and norms.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… Refurbishment of schools in remote areas. |
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Anita Gumbo (23)
Miss Midlands
Banking & Finance student at Gweru Polytechnic
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… it has
always been my dream and because I believe I can make a difference and
impact young people in a positive way, especially young women and
single mothers.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be…
to raise awareness about cancer. I am already organising a cancer march
and would like to make it at a bigger scale and will ask the Ministry
of Health to assist. |
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Rairo Chengetai Gunguwo (20)
First Princess, Miss Harare
Politics & Public Management (Hons) Student at MSU
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… it is a
platform for people to hear and understand me and I can get more
attention on my plans to change Zimbabwe. The title will help me do
that.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… to try and get as many teen mums as possible to go back to school. |
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Loreen Hama (23)
Miss Masvingo
Psychology Graduate from Great Zimbabwe University
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I would like to motivate rural girls to pursue their education and to do more with their lives.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… to initiate training programmes for rural girls and to promote projects for their education. |
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Nyaradzo Jere (17)
Second Princess, Matebeleland North
Awaiting O' Level Results
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I take pride in being Zimbabwean and I would like to help people in need.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… to assist with the veterinary care of animals around Zimbabwe and to raise awareness of the need for this. |
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Emily Tatanga Kachote (22)
Miss Harare
Honours Degree in Psychology student at Women's University
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I would
like to be a role model and a positive representative for models and to
look for funding for models. I want to raise awareness of the
exploitation of women.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… actually
I have already started a project that I would like to continue. I am
currently working on a project to raise awareness of the importance of a
clean sunshine city. Our capital city Harare must be kept clean. |
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Barbara Kanyongo (22)
First Princess, Miss Mashonaland East
Grade 4 Teacher
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I want to show people what the girl child is made of.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… raising awareness about haemorrhoids and helping people who suffer from this condition. |
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Sasha Maidei Kasengwa (20)
Second Princess, Miss Mashonaland Central
Safety, Health & Environmental Management Student at Bindura University (BUSE)
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I want to empower myself and be a good example to young people.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… environmental management to help preserve our resources. |
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Heroine Langalanga (20)
Miss Matebeleland South
Waiting for A'Level results, wants to study Psychology at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ)
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I want to be an agent of change and an activist for women's rights.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be…
to raise awareness to young people about the importance of education
and self confidence. I would like to go into schools and do talks to
students about these issues. |
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Chipo Malinganiso (19)
Second Princess, Miss Mashonaland East
Currently awaiting A'Level results, also a singer
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… it's a
platform for launching projects. I want to work on spreading
environmental awareness and preserving of natural spots in Zimbabwe.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… Environmental
awareness and promoting the reclamation of land destroyed by mining
and of the importance of preserving our natural vegetation. |
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Carol Mandizvidza (18)
First Princess, Miss Chitungwiza
Awaiting A'Level results
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I want to help people, especially those living with HIV and AIDS. I also want to be the brand ambassador for Zimbabwe.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… to raise awareness about cholera and raise funds to help prevent and treat it. |
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Phalen Mapfurire (21)
Miss Manicaland
Tourism & Hospitality Studies student at Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT)
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I want to
promote modelling through charitable activities and improve the
access to education that young people in Zimbabwe have. I also want to
let people know that modelling is about more than just how one looks.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be…
to empower the youth and to impart knowledge to them that they are the
future of the country. I'd like them to know that a good education is
important and that they should avoid HIV. I have seen first hand the
impact of AIDS and really want to drive the message home. |
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Ruvarashe Master (22)
First Princess, Miss Midlands
Student at Midlands State University (MSU)
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I am a helpful person and I think I can contribute to the people in my country.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be…
one that focuses on cancer. |
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Elsie Mathetha (21)
Second Princess, Miss Manicaland
Doing a course on Real Estate Management & Valuation
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… as Miss Zimbabwe I will be able to source funds for charity work and carry out various projects to help the less privileged.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… Working with street kids to try and get them off the streets. |
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Fadzai Mubata (18)
First Princess, Miss Chitungwiza
Awaiting A' Level Place. Wants to be a lawyer.
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I want to be a role model to other young women in Zimbabwe.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… to create campaigns to empower young girls. |
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Tanron Muoni (23)
First Princess, Miss Mashonaland Central
Self employed- runs a poultry project
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I have a passion for modelling and I would like to represent Zimbabwe. I also want to work with the community.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… a pink project with Ska Fashions. Ska is a fashion designer and she will be the face of the label. |
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Letwin Muropa (18)
Second Princess, Mashonaland West
Diploma Student in Hotel & Catering Studies
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… it will be a dream come true and I would like to impact the youth and help people.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… to work on better housing for people living in squatter camps and to set up a housing co-operative for poor people. |
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Nobesuthu Nare (20)
Second Princess, Miss Midlands
Awaiting A' Level results
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I have the qualities to help underprivileged girls.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… raising
awareness about breast cancer. I have an aunt who died from it and so I
became interested in finding out more about it and I want to get more
people to know what steps can be taken to prevent it and how it can be
treated. |
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Nomagugu Ncube (18 on Feb 4th)
Miss Matebeleland North
Waitress at Elephant Hills Hotel in Victoria Falls
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I want to represent Matebeland. There have never been any crowns in the province and I want to do it for my province.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… to assist young women to become more empowered. |
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Blessing Ngohwe (21)
First Princess, Miss Universities
BSc Peace & Governance Student at Bindura University
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I want to
help people, especially refugees in Zimbabwe. I visited Tongogara
refugee camp in Chiredzi and was touched by the condition of people
there.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be…
to assist refugees in Zimbabwe. We have refugees from about 16
countries in total, including Somalia, Congo Brazaville, Rwanda and
Burundi. |
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Petina Nhamburo (19)
First Princess, Mashonaland West
Writing O' Levels in June, Singer
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I want to change the name of modelling. Many people don't regard models highly and I want to change that.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… a campaign to raise awareness about Global Warming. |
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Hannah Rudland (17)
Second Princess, Miss Harare
A Level Student at Chisipite Girls High School (Commercials)
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… I want to
give back to my country. I love Zimbabwe very much and want to give
something back. I'm also taking part because I want to encourage a
rainbow nation.
If I won Miss Zimbabwe, my Beauty with a Purpose project would be… a project to help HIV and AIDS orphans at an orphanage outside Chitungwiza. |
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Ntokozo Josline Sithole (21)
Miss Universities
BA Econimics Student at the UZ
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because… it is a
good platform for me to develop. I am also interested in humanitarian
work and this will make it possible for me to carry it out.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be…
to do a campaign to raise awareness about albinism. I know some albinos
and have seen how much they struggle with the cost of special creams
for their skin and with stigmatisation. People are not educated about
albinos and so there is need to raise awareness about the condition. |
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Nyasha Zidana (21)
Second Princess, Matebeleland South
Awaiting O' Level results, wants to be a Lawyer
I want to be Miss Zimbabwe because…I want to
help people. Secondly I want to represent my country and learn as much
as I can about it and I also want to travel around Zimbabwe.
My Beauty with a Purpose project would be… to start a project to help orphans and to give them hope. |
