Zimbabwean models in Cape Town celebrate life

Chizavare, who is Zimbabwean, has worked in the modelling industry since 2006 when he was still based in Zimbabwe. He believes, by participating in his pageant, Zimbabwean models can celebrate their identity despite their status as immigrants in this country. He added that the pageant helps models to develop confidence and build professional modelling portfolios for those who wish to pursue a modelling career.

“We are targeting Zimbabwean women in Cape Town between the ages of 19 to 30 years. They should not be married, not less than 1,63 metres tall. So far the response has been great. Women are excited and responding well to the initiative because it is something new that never happened in Cape Town. It is also an advantage to them since they do not have to go back to Zimbabwe to contest in the Miss Zimbabwe global contest ,” he explained.

One of the models, Previous Kakora, age 26, said she joined the group three weeks ago. She said, “We are doing great and aiming high. We are drawing a lot of attention from people around us. Modelling has always been my dream, and I am happy the dream has come true. In spite of all the challenges my country of birth has gone through, I am still proud to be Zimbabwean and I would like to show the world the other bright side of the country.”

Miss Zimbabwe Cape Town is linked to Miss Zimbabwe globally and one of the coordinators, Bianca Mpopoma, will be going to Zimbabwe to attend the Miss Zimbabwe Competition on 29 July 2013. The Cape Town contest will be held on the 26 October 2013 at the Ritz Hotel in Sea Point. Tickets for the event are available at Computicket. From this contest, the queen, second and third princess finalists will be sent to compete in the global Miss Zimbabwe competition for the following year. Chizavare has a number of partners for the pageant. He has joined with Jim Jimalo restaurant in Cape Town which specialises in Zimbabwean dishes. He is also in partnership with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. He hopes that the pageant will help to advertise Zimbabwe to tourists visiting Cape Town. He is trying to present a more bright depiction of Zimbabwe despite the country’s political and economic challenges.

The pageant boasts forty participants and sponsorship by several large companies. One of the challenges Chizavare and his associates are facing is gathering the models all at once in the same venue for rehearsals because most of the models are working in the hospitality industry and have conflicting schedules.

When asked how he and his associates plan to protect these girls from abuse and human trafficking that sometimes affect the modelling industry, Chizavare said , “I strongly believe and intend to maintain the Zimbabwean moral and ethical values which teaches to refrain from drugs and violence. I respect our female models the way I do respect my real sisters and mother.” He also said that he provides training and lessons to all models that join the team. “When we recruit new members, we run life skills workshops with them and we have some guidelines and a set of standards they should follow.”

For further information about the Miss Zimbabwe Cape Town pageant, see:

Twitter : @maychizaza

Facebook : Zim has beauty

Telephone : Jim Jimalo (cell) - 083 240 2005, Maynard Chizavare (cell) - 071 736 2564