The Sunday Mail
Miss Zimbabwe
THE new Miss World Zimbabwe Annie-Grace Mutambu says her past is squeaky clean and she will not be having sleepless nights in fear of skeletons that might tumble out of the wardrobe.
The model replaces Emily Tatanga Kachote, who was dethroned following a nude photos scandal. Consequently many people are worried about what has apparently become a recurring trend, dethronement of queens after a few days in office.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail Leisure last week, the 19-year-old beauty queen dared anyone with dirt on her to come forward.
“I know that I am clean. I do not have any skeletons to hide. I don’t have any scandal(s). I know the regulations of this pageant and I signed up to them.
“If I have a scandal I would have stepped aside,” she boldly declared.
The Miss World Zimbabwe pageant has had a sluggish start following a break a couple of years ago when it ran under the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe banner. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority with help of modelling guru Kiki Divaris ran it then.
The Miss Zimbabwe Trust, under Mrs Marry Chiwenga’s leadership, took control of the pageant in 2013 and held its first pageant in 2014 Thabiso Phiri was caught in a nude photo scandal and was replaced by Catherine Makaya, who in turn was replaced by Tendai Hunda just before the Miss World pageant for the same reason.
And this year after a spectacular event, all seemed to be in place. Then the Kachote scandal broke.
Annie-Grace says she has the personality to shed the pageant’s recent negatives.
“When I went for the boot camp I wanted to be Miss Zimbabwe and I’m happy I have achieved that. I feel honoured and excited to represent Zimbabwe and I’m looking forward to the journey. I will give it my best,” said Annie-Grace.
It’s been decades since Zimbabwe performed well on the international platform.
Angeline Musasiwa’s 1994 record, when she came fourth at Miss World, is still to be matched or surpassed.
“I used to watch Miss Zimbabwe, Miss Malaika, Miss Tourism etcetera on television and this gave me a desire to be on the ramp. This is a new experience that I will capitalise on. I have a strategy for Miss World but I’m not at liberty to disclose.”
The model, who draws her inspiration from the Miss Zimbabwe Trust chairperson, said the execution of her duty is going to be easy. The boot camp, she said, had hard-edged her.
“The boot camp was tough and there were times I felt like giving up. But it taught me to be a strong woman.
“Besides the tough experience, it was exciting.
“We had wonderful experiences, staying in a beautiful resort and we also got a chance to visit places like Victoria Falls that I had not been to before. It was also a time for me to discover myself,” said the beauty queen.
She added: “Mrs Chiwenga is a woman with a good heart. She has brought a different touch to the pageant. She is amazing. The trust members are people who are pleasing to work with.”
Born in a family of three, Mutambu, who is based in Harare, traces her roots to Murehwa. She went to Dominican Convent Primary and High schools, but studied A-Level at home and obtained eight points in 2014.
She is studying for an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants qualification through Open Learning Centre.
However, she intends to maintain her presence in the modelling business, even after her reign.
The tennis enthusiast loves cooking. And she is single – but is not searching, at least for now.
“I’m not in a relationship. When I find Mr Right I will date but that will definitely be after my reign. At the moment, I’m not interested,” she said.
For being crowned Miss World Zimbabwe, Annie-Grace walked away with various prizes that include a Kia vehicle, US$20 000 cash, a television set and a skin spa voucher valued at US$2 000.
Meanwhile, Chengetai Kanonhuwa was named First Princess while Miss Personality Vanessa Mutemasango was elevated to Second Princess.
Kanhonhuwa, an aspiring law student said would continue furthering her interest in modelling.
“I have to focus on my modelling career so that I achieve more. And I must point out that modelling is not only about the ramp but includes various other social activities such as charity work,” she said.
The last of three children, the 18-year-old is a sports fanatic, with basketball being a firm favourite.
