Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Trust Khosa
11 October 2008
Harare — Two Zimbabwean models - Gamuchirai Tawengwa (20) and Rudo Ndugu (23) have failed to make the grade in the M-Net Face of Africa contest.
The duo recently sneaked out of the country and went to Zambia for the casting ceremony held at Lusaka Cresta Golf View.
However, the Harare-based models believe that the event was marred by some adjudicators who allegedly took turns to denounce them because of their nationalities.
Narrating their ordeal to city.com this week, the models claim that the adjudication panel almost turned the casting event into a political forum as they allegedly denounced Zimbabwe.
The models also concurred that the 2005 winner Kaone Kario from Botswana, who now sits in the panel of adjudicators, incensed them when she quizzed the duo on the political situation in Zimbabwe during and after the contest.
"We were embarrassed in Zambia because of our situation back home and I wish I had not traveled to Lusaka.
"We were also told that despite having what it takes to make it to the stars, we were not the right people to use in marketing their brands mainly because we come from Zimbabwe," she said.
Rudo alleged that Kaone was visibly drunk and went on to denounce them about the Zimbabwean situation.
"I think I should quit modelling because of the embarrassment that experienced in Zambia especially from Kaone.
"She used to be my idol but I have since realised that I was lost. Imagine, after the contest she followed us in the ladies toilet calling us all sorts of names and I asked myself what crime did I commit by going to Zambia.
"After all, we had sponsored ourselves to go to Zambia only to be humiliated by other people who think they are the right people on the land," she said.
Meanwhile, casting is in progress in other countries with the grand finale set for Botswana on November 29.
Prior top the national finals, a roadshow that will take the contestants to 12 countries such as Namibia, Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia and South Africa.
The contest will be remembered for having propelled Greatmore Chatya to domestic fame when she secured a top five finish in 2005.
Previous winners include Namibia's Benvinda Mudenge, Nombulelo Mazibuko of South Afirca and Senegal's Ramatoulaye Diallo.
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