Miss Zim-UK preps gain momentum
UNITED KINGDOM – The 13th Miss Zimbabwe-UK final, running under the banner of Youth Empowerment, has been scheduled for August 29 in Leicester with 15 contestants based in the UK vying for the crown.
Themed “A 4-star Dinner, Culture and Crowning Night Affair” the event will see guests being treated to Zimbabwean entertainment.
Contestants come from a diverse cultural and societal background with a common cause – uniting Zimbabweans in the UK priding themselves in their culture.
Running since 2002, the pageant this year chose to be under the banner “Youth Empowerment” in line with Government policy back home aimed at mentoring and supporting the youths.
Reigning Miss Zimbabwe UK, Jacqueline Moyo is on a mission, appealing to UK institutions to donate all forms of readable textbooks and literature material.
This is in an effort to alleviate shortage of literature books in Zimbabwe particularly among the underprivileged rural and farm schools.
Some schools in these areas share old and tattered books unlike their counterparts in affluent and urban schools who have advanced to computers and modern literature.
“This is not a simple straight forward or cost-free project but I must reiterate how important it is as this gives a chance to a rural child who may wake up tomorrow with access to literature opportunities in life.
“I appeal to the greater community to come forward and stand shoulder to shoulder with us to see this through,” Moyo said.
We also spoke to Simbarashe Nyanhanga who has been a sponsor and he could not hide his excitement about the preparations so far.
“The pageant is and will not be all about walking the models on the runway. Our theme and objective has stood out to celebrate our Zimbabwean heritage, exhibition of talent both from the competitors and invited artistes as well crown the representative of Zimbabwean beauty here,” Nyanhanga said.
“Preparations are well and in order and we are excited. The community support has been tremendous and this year will indeed be legendary.
“Our only lamentation is the domicile Zimbabwean corporate world’s attitude to supporting this community initiative. We hope someday we will be able to reconcile that side of the relationship.”
The pageant has attracted distinguished judges in the likes of multi-award-winning actress and patron Demitria Karongah as the head judge.
She leads a team made up of former Miss Zimbabwe Karen Stally, Love Jones, Blessing Rufaro, who mentored Brita Masalethulini (former Miss Malaika), award-winning actor Ashley Majaya and Miss Ghana-UK 2014 Eloise Anima Dickens.
The head judge and patron of the Miss Zimbabwe-UK passionately spoke about this event.
“Being a Zimbabwean that has seen the ups and downs of the community, passionate about my heritage and a mother seeing the Diaspora challenges, it was an honour when Simba approached me three years ago to contribute to the pageant.
“The rest is what you all see and will see. I am proud to be appointed the head judge and believe the diversity in the bench I presided in electing will create a standing legacy. I cannot wait for the judgment day,” said Karongah. The Herald
