New Miss Zimbabwe crowned

NEWLY crowned Miss World Zimbabwe, Anne Grace Mutambu, has promised to be at her best behaviour, assuring the nation that she has never posed undressed.

The 19-year-old ACCA student was crowned yesterday at the Miss Zimbabwe Trust offices in Harare, replacing Emily Kachote who was sacked earlier this month following allegations that she once posed undressed - which is against the pageant's regulations.

A Kia Picanto, 40 inch television set and clothing items were presented to Mutambu as part of her prize with a $20,000 cash prize said to have been deposited into her bank account.

Of the $20,000, $10,000 will be used for her Beauty with a Purpose charity project, which she will present at the Miss World contest in December.

"I've no indecent pictures, you can take my word for it," Mutambu said.

The novice who started modelling last year said she hoped to clean the modelling fraternity's image, which has been dented by past unruly models.

"I'm going to encourage young girls not to indulge in activities that'll ruin their careers. I hope to bring more probity into the modelling industry so as to avoid such scandals and at least clean the image that it has right now," she said.

With a new Facebook account - barely a month old - Mutambu seems to have learnt from previous models' mistakes and is going all out to ensure that she represents Zimbabwe well.

"From here I'm starting to work on my fitness and how I interact with the public," she said.

Asked what differentiates her from other models, Mutambu said she was very attractive and hard to ignore.

As a result of the new crowning, Bulawayo beauty, Anisa Ndiriwani, 22, who was initially crowned Miss Talent was yesterday crowned second princess, replacing Chengetai Marcia Kanonhuwa, 18, who took up Mutambu's initial position of first princess.

Asked how they would ensure that the new queen will not be entangled in the same fracas as caused by Kachote, Miss Zimbabwe Trust spokesperson, Tendai Chirau said they were not prophets.

"These happenings aren't of our own making. As Miss Zimbabwe Trust we do everything to our best. We make sure that we host a world class event that's broadcast live on national television but we're being lied to by some people that are coming to the Trust," Chirau said.

"Sometimes you learn through experience so it's not our fault but our participants'. We're not prophets, we won't prophecy what happens but we're going to make sure we solve this."

The Miss Zimbabwe Trust has crowned five models in two reigns, leaving many suspecting that their selection criterion could be dubious. Chirau, however, said they relied on established modelling agencies to assist them with the selection of models.

"We're not a modelling agency but we work with renowned agencies such as ZimGossip, Fingers and Mavis Korslek in Gweru among others when scouting," he said.

Chirau highlighted that there could be some people throwing spanners so as to discredit pageant organisers.

"When you do something, there are people who may not like what you do but we won't tire. Our national chairperson isn't one to give up. Emily is now water under the bridge and we're going forward," he said.

Miss Zimbabwe Trust chairperson, Marry Chiwenga did not attend the crowning ceremony as she was said to have travelled out of town.

Congratulating the newly crowned models, Mutambu's mother advised them to behave and fight to clean the pageant's dented image.

"There's nothing wrong with the pageant, the problem are the models. Please try by all means to behave and make people respect the pageant because of your behaviour," she told the three beauties.

It remains to be seen how long Mutambu will last, considering that her predecessor, Kachote hardly lasted a week.