The Sunday Mail
Takudzwa Chihambakwe
WITH the main sponsor from their glitz and glamour inaugural edition, Big Time Strategic Group, having pulled out due to clashes with the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe Trust (MTZ), the big question is: Will the pageant maintain the bling-bling it carried last year?
As well, unlike last year when the trust was lavishly revealing details of its anchor sponsor, this year they have decided to keep them “anonymous” — further fuelling speculation that all might not be well at the Barbara Mzembi-run pageant.
However, newly appointed MTZ spokesperson Spencer Manyembe said there is nothing to worry about as all things were under control.
“Sponsors have the right to anonymity. Our sponsor requested that, and we have no problem with it. Secondly, those are just rumours that we don’t have a sponsor. We have a sponsor,” said a buoyant Manyembe.
“We are doing our best to ensure we match the standards we set last year or even surpass them. So it may be the same or even better. There is always room for improvement.”
He also added that they will still be working with a South African production team but will try as much as they can to involve local players.
“As was the case last year, we will work with a South African production team. They will come into the country and assess what we have and if there is anything they feel is lacking they will bring it in from their side. This year we also want to work more closely with local players in producing the show,” he revealed.
Preparations ahead of this year’s edition continue with the auditions to select those who will compete for the top crown come December 9 at the Harare International Conference Centre ending today at the Andy Millar Hall.
Though the rift between MTZ and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) continues, with the latter snubbing the Press conference organised by the former, which was held on Wednesday at the Andy Millar Hall, Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Hospitality Industry has come out in full support of the pageant.
Hitting the ground running, the newly appointed Tourism Minister, Edgar Mbwembwe, said that Government views this pageant, which is now entering its second year, as a noble initiative that will boost tourism in the country.
“This year sees us join the rest of the world to celebrate the United Nations International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development and this also gives us an opportunity to celebrate the girl child through pageantry,” said Minister Mbwembwe.
He added: “Globally, pageants play an integral part in tourism for development so we want Miss Tourism Zimbabwe to enhance the brand of Zimbabwe on the global stage.”
The minister also encouraged players in the private sector to come on board and support the initiative.
“There is so much value that can be derived from partnering this pageant. So I encourage those in the private sector to come on board and support Miss Tourism Zimbabwe in any way they can,” he advised.
