Harare — Vanessa Sibanda, Zimbabwe's entrant for the Miss World contest has made it into the top 44 of the Miss Beach Beauty-Bikini, a show that is run in the build up to the Miss World pageant.

Vanessa, who was part of 112 models who took part in the contest, was through to the semi-finals of the event.

According to information on the Miss World website, Vanessa is among models who moved into the semi-finals of the Miss Beach Beauty-Bikini.

Other contests that are held in the run-up to the Miss World pageant include Miss Beauty with a Purpose, based on charity work undertaken by contestants in their countries to help those in need, the Miss Talent and the Miss Top Model.

During Vanessa's send off ceremony, she promised to seize any opportunity that comes her way, as this would put Zimbabwe on the spotlight and market the country's tourism through beauty.

The vivacious and musically-talented model from Harare recently released a song titled Zimbabwe: Land of a Million Dancers which she hopes will assist in marketing the country. She took with her copies of the CD, which she would give to the other contestants.

This year's Miss World pageant marks its 59th anniversary and is being held in South Africa on December 12 at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg.