The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
THE hunt for the new Miss Universe Zimbabwe begins this weekend, with the provincial auditions for Manicaland slated for Golden Peacock Villa Hotel tomorrow (Saturday).
The pageant’s national director, Tendai Hunda, said auditions will be held in Mutare, Harare, Bulawayo and Masvingo to scout for fresh talent and beauty.
“We are glad and ready to roll out nationwide auditions, starting this weekend. We are looking forward to having a bigger and better event this year. Our team will be in Mutare and Masvingo this weekend for auditions, and we are upbeat that models will turn out in their numbers. We are happy with the response so far, and we are looking forward to potentially-explosive tryouts,” said Hunda.
Hunda said they will be looking for models who can carry the Brand Zimbabwe campaign high, bring change, spearhead projects, make a positive impact in the society and share the Zimbabwean story.
“Last year was a learning curve, and we are looking forward to an improved pageant. We have confidence in our selection team. We believe they have the experience to make a difference at the international stage. The crème de la crème will be shortlisted into the top 30 who will undergo online interviews before we trim the number to 20. The final 20 will participate in the national finals slated for Harare on May 18,” she said.
Hunda said the dress code for Saturday’s auditions is black tights, tops and heels.
All contestants must have a valid passport and must be over 18 years.
Aspiring models from high schools and tertiary colleges across Manicaland are expected to attended the auditions that start at 12-noon till 2pm.
Elegant blonde, Nicole Musiyarira, a former Africa University social work student, last year represented Manicaland at the Miss Universe national pageant which was held in Harare.
Although she did not make it into the top winners, Musiyarira dazzled many with her elegant and well-fitting dressing, confidence and lanky height.
Miss Universe Zimbabwe is the official platform to select a representative for the global Miss Universe pageant.
Fashion designer and model, Brooke Bruk-Jackson, is the current Miss Universe Zimbabwe after shrugging off stiff competition from 11 other contestants drawn from across the country.
