By Nyasha Mutena
Harare, Zimbabwe (News Of The South) Tanaka Mushongani (17), a student from Beverly Hills College in Chitungwiza was crowned Miss Zimbabwe Schools, stealing the show from 20 contestants who were vying for the crown at the weekend.
The competitions saw Chipo Nyanungo (18) from Mt Pleasant High school grabbing both the first Princess crown and the Miss Personality title whilst yesteryear model Tendai Westerhof’s daughter, Aaliyah Westerhof from Girls High school claimed 2nd Princess position and Gugulethu Sibanda (18) who was nominated the Outstanding Model by her fellow participants.
Mushongani, who is currently doing her form four academic studies walked away with the top prize of a trip to Europe to represent Zimbabwe on the international platform, one-year scholarship, and hampers from Metro Peech and TelOne while both Princesses also received Metro Peech and TelOne hampers.
Excitement and shock almost paralyzed Mushongani and she her lips twitched as she began to pour out her heart to the audience, she vowed to advocate for girl child rights, the less privileged in rural areas to pursue their modelling careers.
“I wasn’t expecting it. I’m shivering with excitement. Being the former Miss Beverly Hills College it means that I have managed to represent my school well.
“Now that I am the Queen of Miss Zim Schools my goal is to empower the girl child through projects, I want to be a modelling sponsor, helping the less privileged and those who are in the rural areas to pursue their modelling careers because they that need help,” she said.
Dr Enviah Mutsau from the Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality who was guest of honor said modelling is fast becoming a force to reckon with in the business system of Zimbabwe in that many models have become the representations and faces of many companies and this in turn is promoting the behavior of women at large because models are women taught to scrutinize their decisions and actions.
She applauded beauty pageants saying they are a way to promote societal connections, self-discipline, local economic opportunities, friendships and self-discovery. She urged young girls to take these opportunities seriously saying they could lead to other paying jobs and also provide insights about the limits and capabilities of a healthy body
She encouraged the event organizers of various beauty pageants to empower and train the young girls to achieve world class statuses through natural beauty and brains so that they will be able to raise awareness about sensitive topics like AIDS, domestic violence, child marriages and sexual abuse effectively.
“I urge you to give these girls a sense of civic duty to raise awarenesses about sensitive subjects like AIDS, domestic violence and child sexual abuse.
“Pageantry is not about those who win the crown but it is about how it inspires hundreds of women across the country for different career ambitions, academic goals and passion for community services,” Dr Mutsau said.
Miss Zim Schools licence holder Zinzile Mantiziba who is a child activist and founder of Simudziranayi Community Organisation said she was happy and satisfied with the results that came out.
“I am confident that the judges made the right decisions in picking the top three and I would like to thank all the girls for working so hard and having faith in themselves because what you pulled out was just amazing. I would like to thank our sponsors for making this event possible together with the parents,” she said.
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