Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
30 December 2008
Harare — The stage is set for the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe grand finale scheduled for the Harare International Conference Centre tonight.
The much-anticipated show will see 30 beauties competing for the coveted crown to become the country's top tourism ambassador.
Although the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, the organiser of the event, is yet to announce the prizes, whoever wins the title is expected to receive a Mercedes Benz in mint condition for use during her reign.
Three contestants Emily Zhani, Vanessa Sibanda and Lynn Williams -- received a psychological boost after coming tops in the fashion and talent show held in the run-up to the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe national finals.
But tonight the judges will have to pick a winner worthy of the title and one who will have an impact on the international catwalk scene like the Miss World pageant.
In 1994, Angeline Musasiwa, the then Miss Zimbabwe, did the nation proud by coming fourth in the Miss World contest won by India's Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai.
Angeline was and still is the success story in the history of pageantry in Zimbabwe.
Her achievement is still to be matched or surpassed although the closest we came was on November 24 2001 when lovely Brita Masalethulini was crowned the inaugural Miss Malaika.
She, too, had hoped to clinch the Miss World title.
So tonight one lucky beauty will write her own piece of history in front of millions of viewers across the country as ZBC-TV broadcasts the event live.
For those who want the official after-party, the ZTA has lined up a live bash featuring DRC rhumba maestro Kanda Bongo Man of the Isambe Monie fame, and sungura giants Alick Macheso and Tongai Moyo.
While sungura music draws much from Congolese rhumba which Bongo Man sings with Tongai borrowing heavily from Kofi Olomide, the real clash is expected between the two sungura rivals, 'Extrabasso' and 'Igwee'.
Both stake a claim to the Sungura throne left vacant by the death of the master of song, Simon Chimbetu.
Bongo Man should be at his best lest he is eclipsed by the Sungura rivalry that always strives to be settled on stage.
Now Macheso and Tongai are capable of holding their own except, perhaps, when it comes to rhumba giants like Koffi Olomide and Werason, who are currently rhumba's most wanted.
Other star attractions include urban groover Roki, gospel diva Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave, and the King and Queen of gospel Pastor Charles Charamba and wife Olivia, among others.
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Zimbabwe does not need your negitive views - think positive, it's great to see life still goes on.
Vanessa Sibanda won the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe
Hi, I'm Miss Tourism and I'll be your guide! Over there you see a Hospital that is closed becuase our people are immune to sickness. And here you see a grocery store has gone out of business becuase our people no longer need to eat to survive. Here you see vast stretches of fertile farmland overgrown with weeds for we no longer need to grow food. And there you see the Bank is boarded up becuase money is no longer needed. You see there are no street lights as our people have night vision so we have no use for… [Read Full Text]
Another loser - cant you just be glad that some people are trying to make the best of the situation. Good on the Zimbabweans that are trying - not you low life's that just see bad! Down with you!
Miss Cholera would be an appropriate event under Zanu PF.