The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube Entertainment Correspondent
THE Miss Tourism auditions started on an embarrassing note after only one model turned up for the beauty pageant, forcing the organisers to scrap off the $20 registration fee in a bid to lure more models this weekend.
The false start also compelled the organisers to appeal for solid corporate support and sponsorship for aspiring models in the province.
The inaugural auditions were scheduled for the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority boardroom last weekend. They will be conducted again tomorrow and Sunday at the same venue where more aspiring models expected to attend following the scrapping off of the registration fee of $20.
While the auditions will now be held for free, the dress code will be black jeans, white tops and high heels.
Aspiring model Tinashe Madondo, who was the only model who turned up, did not disappoint.
She met and exceeded the judges’ expectations. She could be Mutare’s next big thing in the tourism pageantry.
“A number of participants phoned requesting for a waiver of the administration fee. We have taken note of the request and have decided to scrap off the fee. All participants who had paid their fees will be refunded, immediately. We are expecting a good turnout this weekend, but would like to implore corporate to partner us and empower the girl child,” said Miss Tourism Manicaland license holder Caroline Marufu-Buwu. Buwu is confident that the crown will come back to Mutare after last year’s feat in which Tafadzwa Jaricha came out tops in the national finals held in Bulawayo.
The provincial finals will be held on July 27 at Montclair Hotel in Juliasdale under the theme: “Zimbabwe at work” where talented Mutare-based musician, Caff will perform live.
