Record 46 models vie for Miss Zimbabwe title

Record 46 models vie for Miss Zimbabwe title

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By Torby Chimhashu

TOURISM marketing agency, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), has announced that the finals of the expanded Miss Zimbabwe pageant, now known as Miss Zimbabwe Tourism, will feature a record 46 models.

The national beauty showcase will be held at the rebranded Rainbow Tourism Harare International Conference on December 16.

But the very involvement of the ZTA, especially its chief executive officer, Karikoga Kaseke, a self-confessed Zanu PF cadre, has taken off the glamour and little respect that was left in this pageant.

In a hastily prepared statement which was aimed at damage control following a report in one of the weekly newspapers, the ZTA, said this year's finals will go a long way in showing the glamour and competitive associated with the pageant.

This is against the background of a Sunday Mail report of a fortnight ago which lambasted the ZTA and its involvement in the pageant.

The report said Miss Zimbabwe Tourism, formerly Miss Zimbabwe, has lost lustre.

Despite the ZTA coming out with its guns blazing, models said were wary of Kaseke's involvement and his background.

But they feared reprisals and none would speak openly about their views on the pageant.

Kaseke, as the CEO of the ZTA, is now using his office to try and boost the country's tourism, and the Miss Zimbabwe pageant provides ready PR fodder for the government.

Last year, Kaseke was sacked from his post as Permanent Scecretary in the Ministry of Transport and Communications after New Zimbabwe.com broke the story of his involvement with an under age girl.

Kaseke hastily offered his version of the story to the CIO-controlled Daily Mirror, but he was reshiuffled by President Robert Mugabe within weeks.

Kaseke said from the 46 models set to take part in the event on December 16, five outstanding contestants will represent the country in the Miss World, World Model, Miss Universe, Miss World Tourism and an Internet pageant.

This is a deviation from the traditional standards where 20 models fight for the crown.

Kaseke has said the pageant will help bring tourists to Zimbabwe. However, participation in competitions such as the Miss World Tourism, run and organised by international crook, John Singh, has brought little to Zimbabwe.

Last year he swindled a production company of US$200 000 and vanished after the finals held in Harare.

A Harare High Court issued a warrant of arrest for him, but that was later cancelled and soon, he was back in the country at the invitation of First Lady Grace Mugabe.

This year's Miss Tourism Zimbabwe will include winners from Miss Zimbabwe Canada, Miss Zimbabwe UK, Miss Zimbabwe South Africa and Miss Zimbabwe USA.

It will also have places for Miss Summer Strides, Miss Zimbabwe National Parks and Miss Rural Zimbabwe.

Since the ZTA took over the pageant, there has been little progress in the standards of modelling in Zimbabwe.

The regional shows that used to be the breeding ground for models have either been held in secrecy or in worst cases, postponed. So far, Miss Tourism Bindura is the only show that has been held publicly.
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