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Trudence Mangachena Cool Lifestyle Writer
Chitungwiza is known for being the home of artistes.
Musicians, sculptors, actors, deejays, dancers of all ages have made it big from the satellite town.
Guspy Warrior, Mudiwa, Lady Squanda, Big Brother’s Hakeem Mandaza, Jah Prayzah and Alec Macheso make up the endless list of artistes from Chi-town who are making waves in the entertainment sector.

Talent is abound in young people in the community and joining the bandwagon is an energetic 19-year-old Melissah Chiurunge.
A model, dancer, actress and singer in her own right, she is indeed proof that great things will continue to flourish from the ghetto.
An amazing youngster, it is commendable how she has already discovered a lot within herself.

“My journey started at the age of 15 in a talent show at Herentals College Chitungwiza. After taking part in the talent competition as a group, we came out the second and beat 19 other competitors,” she said during an interview with Cool Lifestyle.

The following year saw the college hosting another competition where her group scooped the third position out of 22 colleges.
‘’Since pursuing the journey to showcase my talents, my first stop was the Top Model Modelling Agency where I attained a certificate in model-   ling.

‘’When I started modelling, I feared racial discrimination by being the only black in a class of 11 whites.
“I survived that but decided to position myself by being proudly Zimbabwean for I was there for a specific goal,” she said.

She added even though most people are of the opinion that modelling is associated with immorality, it changed her life for the better because of the grooming that she undertook.

They learnt a lot through being encouraged to live positively by desisting from drug abuse.
This year presented a whole new world of opportunities where she contested in the Miss Chitungwiza beauty pageant.

“I managed to qualify for the top 10 and was number four. More avenues came my way after that,” she said.
She spoke on plans for the future and how she wants to harness the fruits of her success. She intends to open a modelling agency where young and talented girls like her can have the opportunity to establish their careers.

“After the success at Miss Chitungwiza I now realise that the sky is not even the limit for me.
“I tried out Miss Zimbabwe 2013 but did not go beyond the auditions because I did not meet the required height hence my move to try out acting,” she said.

As fate would have it, an opportunity to act came about when a local movie company, Media Craft, approached her through her sister
“I did not know that I could act until a crew from Media Craft came across my sister while looking for girls with a passion for acting.
“After we connected they fell in love with my moves and I ended up being the main character in their movie production Revenge Mission,” she said

The movie has not been released on the market yet, but it outlines jealousy as a weapon of mass destruction.
It is expected to be on the screens by 2014 and viewers will get a chance to see Mellisah’s light shining.

As far as music is concerned, she is also a vibrant singer in her church choir at Methodist Church in Zimbabwe.
“Although she has not ruled out plans of taking professionally she is also busy with her studies in travel and tourism
“My family has been a pillar of strength emotionally and financially. They sponsor my projects and encourage me to chase my dreams,” she said.