Miss and Mr Rural Zimbabwe 2025 launches In Bulawayo

The much-anticipated Miss and Mr Rural Zimbabwe 2025 beauty pageant is set to officially launch in Bulawayo tomorrow, promising to spotlight the beauty, talent, and stories of young people from rural communities across the country.

Founder Sipho Mazibuko told Zimpapers Entertainment Hub that the event aims to celebrate the unique cultural roots and hidden talents of contestants from Zimbabwe's rural heartlands. So far, hopefuls have been scouted in Masvingo, Matabeleland North, and Mashonaland Central provinces.

"My mission is to unearth and nurture hidden talent in rural areas," Mazibuko said.

The official launch will be followed by provincial finals, with Lupane State University hosting the Miss Rural and Mr Rural Zimbabwe competition for Matabeleland North.

"The Miss and Mr Rural pageant has become a beacon of hope for many children from disadvantaged backgrounds," Mazibuko said. "It's helping bridge the gap between rural and urban communities by offering recognition and life-changing opportunities to those often overlooked."

The launch event is expected to attract a large crowd, including entertainment industry professionals, local celebrities, and enthusiastic fans.

The pageant is more than just a contest - it is a cultural movement aimed at restoring pride, dignity, and purpose among rural youth. Mazibuko invited Zimbabweans to witness a vibrant cultural celebration spanning all corners of Matabeleland North, from Binga to Tsholotsho, and Victoria Falls to Umguza.

"This is more than a pageant, it's a movement that's restoring pride, dignity and purpose among the rural youth," she said.

Targeting young men and women aged 18 to 25, the pageant empowers rural youth to stand shoulder to shoulder with their urban peers and shine on national and international stages. This year's edition runs under the powerful theme:

"Embrace Your Culture, Embrace Zimbabwe."

Mazibuko also highlighted the challenges faced by rural boys, who often suffer in silence from abuse and limited opportunities.

"The rural boy child has never truly been given a platform to showcase his talent. Some of these boys suffer sexual molestation from female relatives and emotional or physical abuse by step-parents. Many are trapped in cycles of poverty with no role models or direction and end up turning to artisanal mining, a dangerous path marked by frequent deaths, or falling into drug and alcohol abuse," she said.

Through this initiative, the Miss and Mr Rural Zimbabwe pageant aims to offer a positive alternative and a platform for transformation.

With its focus on culture, empowerment, and storytelling, the 2025 pageant promises to be a milestone in elevating Zimbabwe's rural youth and celebrating the country's rich diversity.