The Sunday Mail
Nicole Maturure
THE return of Miss Universe Zimbabwe, following a 22-year hiatus, has come as sweet news to models around the country.
The Miss Universe pageant is one of the world’s revered modelling events.
“This is great news. It is always good to have many pageants in the country as this opens opportunities for many models. I applaud the brains behind the rebirth of Miss Universe Zimbabwe and hope they get the right support to keep the event afloat,” said Talent Dube, an 18-year-old aspiring model.
Her colleague, Priscilla Shorai, was equally elated.
“This is a sign that the modelling industry is moving in the right direction. We certainly can do with more pageants,” added Shorai. Miss Tendai Hunda, who is the co-director of the Miss Zimbabwe Queen beauty pageant, announced the return last week during a press conference held in Harare.
“We realised that Zimbabwe was not being given a fair chance to participate on the Miss Universe global platform, which claims to be an inclusive stage for the modelling and beauty industry.
“We were officially granted a licence on April 4, 2023. The return will not only be a historic occasion but will also significantly raise Zimbabwe’s international status.
The pageant perfectly fits Government’s objective for engagement and re-engagement, and presents a great opportunity for progressive corporations to come on board and collaborate,” said Hunda.
The country last participated in the Miss Universe pageant in 2001.
This year’s edition of Miss Universe will also mark the debut of Pakistan, and the return of Bangladesh, Egypt, Guyana, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Mongolia, New Zealand and Norway.
“Zimbabwe was last represented by Miss Tsungai Muswerakuenda and thereafter, we have had an unfortunate 22-year absence from the competition due to economic and political issues,” said the former Miss Zimbabwe 2014.
“We felt compelled to take on the challenge to have Zimbabwe reinstated to the Miss Universe competition.
“To guarantee smooth flow of events, we have engaged the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and key stakeholders as we prepare to host the forthcoming event,” said Hunda.
The main purpose of the Miss Universe Zimbabwe contest is to choose a Zimbabwean representative to appear on the Miss Universe stage in December 2023 in El Salvador, Central America.
“The return of Miss Universe Zimbabwe is symbiotic and will provide a valuable lifeline opportunity to our models. We are also contributing to youth empowerment as we will be working with various fashion designers, makeup artists and musicians.”
Preparations are underway, with the organisers working tirelessly to ensure that the Zimbabwean representative would be in prime condition for the global competition.
“This is not only good news for the modelling industry, but also the arts sector as a whole and, ultimately, our beautiful country, Zimbabwe. We are looking forward to being represented on this mega stage.”
Miss Universe Zimbabwe will be holding auditions across the country’s 10 provinces beginning this month.
This will be followed by a boot camp that will take place during the last two weeks of August as models prepare for the September 9, 2023 finale.
