The Sunday Mail
“THE fight is won or lost far away from witnesses – behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights,” legendary boxer Mohammed Ali once remarked.
Annie-Grace Mutambu… Miss Zimbabwe 2015
This Friday, Zimbabwe sends one of its daughters to China to represent the country at the Miss World beauty pageant.
But has she, like Ali said, won the fight far away from witnesses? Did she prepare herself in the gym and do enough humanitarian work to fight for that crown on an equal or even better footing with her competition?
There are 34 days left before Miss World 2015 roars to life at the Crown of Beauty Theatre in Sanya, China, and the country’s hopes have been placed in the hands of 19-year-old Anne-Grace Mutambu.
Mutambu took over the reins of Miss Zimbabwe in June, with the pageant’s original winner Emily Kachote dethroned following a scandal that involved nude pictures.
Despite taking a not-so-smooth path to the country’s top beauty spot, the Miss Zimbabwe Trust is confident that the young model will not disappoint at the world stage.
Last week, The Sunday Mail Leisure caught up with Mutambu, who said that she is going to do her best but cited that winning the crown is a long shot.
“There are going to be many contestants also taking part, which means winning is going to be very difficult but what I can guarantee is that I will do my best to represent the country. One thing that I know is that if the crown is yours, it’s yours and if it is not meant to be then that’s it,” said Mutambu.
Last year’s Miss World representative, Tendai Hunda failed to impress, a scenario which was attributed to inadequate preparation, with failure to complete her “Beauty with a Purpose” project being one of the setbacks.
Mutambu seems to have crossed this huddle having spent the greater part of last month raising awareness for the plight of albinos and also giving assistance. Working in conjunction with the Albinos Charity Organisation of Zimbabwe (ALCOZ), which deals with children living with albinism, she made numerous donations including spectacles, sunscreens, disinfectants, lip balm and soap, among several other items.
Completion of her project is just a small bit of what is to come as she is expected to partake in a number of tasks during the boot camp. This might prove to be a more difficult challenge as she admitted that she does not have a clear picture of what to expect.
“This is my first time competing on such a platform, so to be honest I don’t really know what we will be doing at the boot camp. From what I have gathered so far I think we will be doing sports and some fashion activities as well.
“I love challenges and since I am an all-rounder in sports I think I will be able to handle anything that the contest throws at me.”
Mutambu will be travelling alone for the boot camp but her team will follow towards the day of the pageant.
Miss Zimbabwe Trust spokesperson Tendai Chirau said they were positive that Mutambu would do her best at the competition.
“We have been doing everything we possibly can to make sure that she is well prepared for the pageant and I am sure she is going to do well. She has been going to the gym so that she stays in shape and we have also been taking care of her skin care needs so that she is at her best during the contest,” said Chirau.
He added: “We are constantly communicating with the people from Miss Word. They have given us all the requirements and we have been working with the girl so I believe she is well prepared for any eventuality.”
From 1980, only five Zimbabwean contestants have managed to make it into the final 15 at the Miss World pageant, with the 1994 contestant Angeline Musasiwa falling inches short of gracing the winner’s podium as she took the third runner up position.
The Miss World pageant is the oldest surviving major international beauty pageant, which was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951 and since his death in 2000; Eric’s widow, Julia Morley, has co-chaired the pageant.
The current Miss World is Rolene Strauss of South Africa who was crowned on December 14 in London last year. Traditionally, Miss World lives in London during her reign.
