TWENTY models from all parts of Zimbabwe will battle it out for the first ever Miss Global International Zimbabwe crown slated for Saturday at the Rainbow Towers Hotel. The models left for their boot camp yesterday where they will be coached in various aspects of modelling ranging from catwalk, grooming to ramp etiquette by their chaperon.

One of the contestants -Susan Mharapara -said she was happy to be part in the contest.

"Miss Global International pageant has a number of objectives among them to promote tourism, redefining the standards of beauty pageants, the local fashion industry and glamour," the 19-year-old sociology student at the University of Zimbabwe, said.

Another contestant, Mutsa Mutare (22), reiterated that patrons should look forward to a world-class entertainment as the pageant is organised to meet international standards.

The contestants were randomly selected during auditions held in April in all the country's 10 provinces.

The winner will have a chance to represent Zimbabwe at the Miss Global International pageant set for September in Jamaica.

The pageant is being sponsored by GTel, Sam's Limos, Afrique Modelling Agency and Success by Tare among others.