Zimpapers Logo

Boniface Chimedza Arts Correspondent
Glitz and glamour characterised the sashing ceremony held at the Miss Zimbabwe Trust in Harare last Friday evening as the organisers of the pageant unveiled the 14 finalists who will battle for the coveted crown.

The pageant, which is running under the theme “Embracing a Woman a Symbol of Beauty”, will be held at Orchids Garden in Domboshava next week.

Speaking at the sashing ceremony, Miss Zimbabwe Trust administrator Christine Matambo, said all is set for the finale and assured the guests that the girls are ready and in safe hands.

“May I also take this opportunity to once again make it clear that our job here at the Miss Zimbabwe Trust is to nurture the girl child into this fine, polished young woman who can take the brand Zimbabwe to greater heights,” she said.

Matambo took advantage of the sashing ceremony to assert Miss Zimbabwe Trust’s credibility and assure the guests and the country at large professionalism in the coordinating the prestigious pageant.

“This crop has been good and I know they will not disappoint because they have been well trained. The girls have grown mentally and spiritually during the camp from the way they speak, walk and carry themselves. I assure you that they are now more confident,” she said.

Miss World Zimbabwe spokesperson Tendai Chirau reiterated that they will not accept or allow any situation or circumstances that will subject these girls to any kind of abuse whatsoever.

“What we want is to help them uncover their talent, which could be their strength, and allow it to blossom. The negative reports that you used to read in the papers, about alleged incidents that happened some time ago is something we do not encourage,” he said.

Chirau said that their conduct is driven by discipline, adding that during their boot camps they do not hesitate to dismiss any girls who exhibit unbecoming behaviour.

Out of the 16 finalists, Miss Zimbabwe Trust dismissed two for indiscipline, thus trimming down the sashed finalists’ number to 14.

“We are not nurturing immoral girls at this pageant but we are raising disciplined models who have the integrity and character to raise the country’s flag high and proudly represent it on the global platform” Chirau added.

The event is a black-tie event and will be beamed live on ZBC TV next    Saturday.