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Arts Reporter

Local models and stakeholders have criticised organisers of the Mister Teen Zimbabwe pageant for lack of professionalism, unethical behaviour and abuse of power over young models. 

This comes after reigning Mister Teen Zimbabwe, 18-year-old Abel Mugari, was dethroned after he had failed to pay an outstanding balance of US$30 for a boot camp held in Bulawayo recently. 

Mugari was crowned the winner on October 1 at Selbourne Hotel in Bulawayo and walked away with a sash only, being denied any other prize, at least according to his story. 

It is alleged that Mugari was supposed to be in the boot camp for four days, but could not due to family engagements. 

The boot camp fee was US$40, but Mugari managed to deposit only US$10. 

He was eventually crowned the overall winner of the pageant, walking away empty handed. 

A few days later, organisers of the pageant began asking for their balance for the boot camp and subsequently dethroned him after they realised he could not pay up. 

Those in the modelling industry say the pageant’s organiser Ishamel Murangandi was unethical for taking away the crown from Mugari over US$30. 

This is not the first time Murangandi has behaved in such a manner, as during the previous edition of Mister Teen Zimbabwe he had squabbles with some winners over prizes. 

Some said those who issue licences for such pageants should carry out proper research on those who would have applied. 

Social media was agog with angry fans, friends, celebrities and models who called for responsible authorities to take action against Murangandi, who is not a newcomer to such behaviour. Miss Tourism Zimbabwe board chairperson Sibusisiwe Dube said Murangandi’s behaviour was uncalled for. 

“We condemn such behaviour, and it is uncalled for,” she said. “This is an administrative issue that involves the organisers and the model. The terms and conditions, how did he get on stage if he had not finished issues to do with administration? 

“Now it becomes unfair to the contestant, emotionally damaging him as he had gone all out to win, yet it was something that should have been resolved before the show.” 

Dube said winning and boot camp issues did not mix. 

“For them to let him participate up to the time of crowning, were they are not aware that he had a pending issue? This is not good and it continues damaging the industry itself,” said Dube.

Former top male model Trust Mathe said Murangandi was turning the pageant into a farce. 

“What Murangandi has done is very bad, he lacked wisdom,” he said. “How could he do that to such a young soul, we are supposed to guide them, that is their career not dethroning someone over a petty issue that can be resolved closed doors.” 

Prominent model guru and Zim Gossip Models Agency founder Mercy “Catwalk” Mushaninga, said models were not supposed to pay for anything when they go for boot camp.

“I am surprised with this action,” she said. “He is not supposed to take money from models, but is supposed to empower them. When I spoke to Abel, he said that he paid US$10 for the one-day boot camp.

“This has heartbroken Abel. Murangandi was unprofessional for such behaviour, he could have sat down with Abel rather than trying to undermine him.” 

Mugari later issued a statement clarifying his position. 

“I do acknowledge that in their statement, the event organisers chose not to state exactly what was amiss about my character and my behaviour and so I chose to share my story,” he said. 

“It was with great sadness and much disappointment that I learnt of the decision by the organisers to strip me of my title, as the overall winner of Mr Teen Zimbabwe, as well as brand ambassador of the Mr Teen Zimbabwe organisation. 

“As a young man who has hopes to make strides in the media fraternity and other spaces, I do not take lightly the importance of maintaining a clean brand, particularly one that will have influence and impact on those younger than me. 

“Before the actual event at which I was crowned Mister Teen Zimbabwe, the organisers had arranged a boot camp, which came for US$40. This camp ran from Thursday, leading up to the event. Unfortunately, I was unable to travel from Harare to Bulawayo because of logistical challenges which I explained to the organisers. 

“I only arrived in Bulawayo on Saturday in time for the event at which I was crowned Mister Teen Zimbabwe. The organisers insisted they still required the full US$40 payment for the boot camp which I had not attended. I was only able to pay them the US$10 which is all I had on me and advised that I would discuss the balance payment with my parents. 

“My parents felt that since I had not attended the boot camp, it was irregular for the organisers to demand full payment for something I did not participate in.” 

Mugari confirmed that he did not receive any prizes after winning. 

“I had used my resources to travel to Bulawayo and accommodate myself,” he said. “The crown, while prestigious, did not come with any prize money. My parents, however, in seeking to meet the organisers halfway were happy to pay 50 percent of the boot camp even though I had not attended it. 

“This unfortunately was not acceptable to the organiser of the event who instructed me to immediately hand over my sash, as well as the shield that I had received. I obliged with no quarrels. It is, therefore, quite upsetting to discover that all this has led to me being labelled as behaving in a manner that is not fit or unacceptable and that I am not worthy to hold the crown. 

“I believe I diligently worked to achieve the recognition that the organisers themselves gave me at the pageant. It is regrettable that now because of a mere US$30 I find myself stripped of that title and my reputation blemished. “I am not the organiser of Mr Teen Zimbabwe, nor can I demand for them to reinstate me as it is their title, which they can do with as they please, however, once again, I do state my great disappointment at how things turned out. It is a title I took seriously and was prepared to serve the youth of Zimbabwe.” 

Contacted for comment, Murangandi said: “You only look for me when it is about mere stories. On Abel’s issue, I can’t comment.”