Student crowned Miss Zimbabwe USA

Student crowned Miss Zimbabwe USA

MISS Zimbabwe USA 2005 Rudo Change flanked by the first princess Sylvia Chimhina (right) and second princess Charmaine Zondo

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By Showbiz Reporter

AN orphaned trainee physician is this year's winner of the Miss Zimbabwe USA beauty pageant.

Radiant Rudo Change, 25, who moved to Washington DC after losing both her parents at the age of 21 will automatically stand in the Miss Zimbabwe pageant later this year.

Change outshined a field of 15 Zimbabwean beauties based in the United States. Sylvia Chimhina was the first princess while former Girls High School student Charmaine Zondo was crowned second princess.

Miss Zimbabwe USA is an annual event which takes place on the sidelines of the ZimExpo business exhibition, and is organised by ZimUSA Inc led by former ZBC presenter Tich 'Barney' Mpariwa.

After her glorious night, Change pledged to support HIV/Aids orphans, a cause she described as "dear to my heart".

"There are close to a million orphans in Zimbabwe. They are in dying need of education, clothing and shelter. The future of Zimbabwe is dependent upon the well being of our children," she said.

She added: "The Miss Zim USA orphanage initiative hopes to bring change to the lives of a group of orphans through sponsorship. We all have a choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can make a change. We must."

Change said after the death of her parents, she was faced with the difficult task of running a company in a male dominated industry in Zimbabwe.

"Even though our company was successful I knew my calling was elsewhere and I made arrangements for a partnership and new director and bought myself a ticket to come to the United States where I am currently studying toward a Master of Science in Physician Assistant," she revealed.

Harare-born Zondo represented Girls High at the global young leaders' conference. She also participated in the Miss Harare junior contest 2003.

The Miss Zimbabwe UK contest is expected to be held in August this year.
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