University student crowned Miss Bulawayo Environment

By Jeffrey Muvundusi

BULAWAYO – Tshwane University student Nkanyeziyethu Malunga beat 16 contestants to claim the inaugural glamorous Miss Bulawayo Environment 2012 beauty pageant title at a colourful and well-attended ceremony held at Horizon Pub on Friday.

Twenty three-year-old Malunga was flanked by Marybeth Ushe (20) crowned the first princess and Thubelihle Ncube (22) as the second princess. Seventeen-year-old Atipa Busuman landed the Miss Personality title.

Initially, the competition was set to have 20 models fighting for the honours but unfortunately four of them failed to make it to the finals due to an alleged failure to complete an environmental project which was a prerequisite for the competition.

Standing in for deputy prime minister Thokozani Khupe, director in her office Adelis Sibuta was not only the guest of honour but crowned the inaugural winner Malunga much to a delight of revellers who had packed the venue.

“I don’t even know what to say about this. I am just so delighted as this is the biggest achievement I have made in life. I am hoping that I will take this to greater heights in as far as preserving our environment is concerned,” Malunga told the Daily News in a visibly ecstatic mood after being crowned queen.

For her feat, the Phelandaba-based Malunga walked away with various accolades including vouchers; ICDL courses from a college of her own choice, two week holiday at Victoria Falls and cash prizes among other benefits.

As unique as it was, the contestants took to the ramp on four categories that included the environment funky wear, contemporary wear, evening wear and designer wear. However, the swim wear category was ruled out as it was considered not in line with the advocacy for preserving the environment.

Interestingly, the pageant’s environmental theme, “Forests for People” saw models strolling on the ramp clad in recycled material in the form of green tree branches and leaves, recycled plastics, newspapers and cud boxes.

Sibuta urged the models to be true ambassadors in the endeavour to reduce the negative effects of environmental degradation in the country.

“As models you are expected to uphold the values of Ubuntu as we take the fight to preserve our endangered environment. For the winners, you have a tough challenge ahead of you; use this platform to be the Malaika Mashandus of tomorrow. This is exactly what we expect from you. Let it not end here,” added Sibuta.

She said the beauties should remember that this was not about cash and beauty “but about beautiful intelligence. We are looking for beautiful intellectuals who are able to take the environmental challenge ahead of them.”

Pageant director Briaton Takundwa expressed his gratitude to the support that the event received from the corporate world as well as government through the ministry of Environment and Human Resource Management.

Hip-hop rapper Poy and local dance group Simunye Simunya did what they know best while supermodel, TV and radio personality Godfrey Koti was the master of ceremony. The Miss Zimbabwe Environment event will be held in Harare on April 27 as part of the grand plan to go national. Daily News