The Sunday Mail
ORGANISERS of the re-branded Miss Tourism Zimbabwe are expected to officially unveil their anchor sponsor this week. Already, the pageant has announced Traverze, Meikles, Network Que, Black Opal, Gary Thompson and Associates, The Events Company,MABEL360 and DAYSMAN as sponsors.
But it has taken them more than four months to unveil their major sponsor, who is understood to have been silently bankrolling some of their activities, among them auditions. Sources privy to developments say the anchor sponsor wanted to make sure they first covered ground and were certain of all modalities before going public.
The Sunday Mail Leisure last month reported that South Africa-based Zimbabwean business mogul Justice Maphosa of Bigtime Strategic Group could be the headline sponsor in a deal that would see his firm finance several Miss Tourism programmes before, during and after the pageant.
Maphosa is the brains behind the recent and highly successful four-day Gwanda Gospel Festival. Miss Tourism Zimbabwe spokesperson Alson Darikayi would not say who the big sponsor was: “I still cannot give you the name of the sponsor at present. hat I can tell you though is we have already made a public announcement pertaining to the official unveiling of the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe anchor sponsor.
Next Tuesday (this week) at the Rainbow Towers, all your questions will be answered.” This writer has it on good authority that 12 experts flew in a week ago from South Africa for preparatory work on the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe finals, which are scheduled for November 25.
The team comprises lighting technicians, production managers, sound engineers, stage managers and other technical experts, who were part of the group that worked with BigTime Strategic Group Investments in temporarily turning Pelandaba Stadium into a world class facility for the Gwanda Gospel Festival.
“The world just needs to know that we are being thorough in our preparations and we are promising an epic final, one that will leave lasting memories for a very long time,” said Darikayi. “I know you and many other people are so eager to unmask this sponsor but please just be patient for a couple of days.
‘‘We will give you all the details including many other things that I’m sure you are not aware are happening behind the scenes.”
Meanwhile, 18 models who made the grade during national auditions are expected to begin boot camp on November 17. They will undergo training in public relations and media management, grooming, fitness and general tourism awareness. A scorecard will be used during training with each model expected to attain particular results to qualify for the finals.
Three of the 18 will be dropped and 15 contestants will strut it out at the finals. The finalists are ZBC news anchor Merelin Ngwenya, Lauren Macintosh, Evermore Njanjamangeza, Kudakwashe Matepura, Courtney Matende, Gamuchirai Mutero, Rutendo Taruvinga, Marizanne Murashiki, Hazel Nhamburo, Tafadzwa Jaricha, Anesu Hokoyo, Elisheba Makwara, Shirley Ann Lindsay, Nohlahla Dube, Memory Chapinduka, Ashley Morgan, Chiedza Chinake and Sharon Mavinga.
“All the ladies who made it to the finals met our set requirements. They represent the cream the country has to offer. The panel that conducted the auditions was satisfied with what they had to offer hence we believe we are going to have a good finale,” remarked Darikayi.
