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Walter Mswazie in Masvingo
A Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) beauty queen, Gwandolin Chikambi, has been invited to represent the country in the Miss Goddess of the Universe pageant in the Philippines.

The reigning Miss Ruby Masvingo 2019 is expected at Malolos Sports and Convention Centre from July 9 to 20 where she will battle it out with other beauties from across Africa.

The pageant will be held under the banner, Embrace–Afrika, and the 2017 Miss Valentine Masvingo is confident she will bring an accolade back home.

The Human Resources first year student, who beat other 11 contestants to become Miss Ruby Masvingo on Africa Day at Charles Austin Theatre, said the sky was the limit and would not come back empty-handed from Philippines.

“I have been invited to Philippines from July 9 to 20,” she said. “Everything is in place now and I am going to Harare to finalise my visa application.”

Chikambi said she was working towards promoting modelling in Masvingo and beyond. She said there was great potential in modelling in Masvingo, but underscored the need for support from the corporate world.

“We have a number of girls in this province with potential to rule the world in beauty contests, but we lack support,” she said.

In 2018, a woman from Masvingo’s Rujeko Suburb, Hajirah Belinda Potts, won Miss Zimbabwe pageant and also represented Zimbabwe at Miss World in China.

Potts, a Veterinary Sciences student at Mazowe College, took over from Chiedza Mhosva and received a cash prize of $20 000 and a vehicle as part of her prizes.

“I am inspired by Potts that I will also want my presence to be felt in the Philippines,” said Chikambi.

“I appeal to Zimbabweans to give me moral support so that I do not disappoint.”

Chikambi said she was also inspired by Aleck Wek from Sudan and Pokelo Nare from Harare, who is into fashion.