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Nursing student wins Miss Zimbabwe USA 2008
BIRTHDAY
GIRL: Miss Zimbabwe USA 2008 winner Charmaine Zonde with 1st Princess
Busi Mlambo (right) and 2nd Princess Chido Emma Maziriri
By
Showbiz Reporter
A 22-YEAR-OLD nursing
student has been crowned Miss Zimbabwe USA 2008.
Charmaine Zonde, who celebrates her 22nd birthday on Saturday, won the event at the second attempt after finishing as 2nd Princess in 2005.
The Harare-born beauty now based in Alexandria, Virginia, said she took part in the pageant because of “a hunger to make an impact on the health situation in my country”.
She now plans to campaign for a “healthier Zimbabwe” during her reign.
Law graduate Busi Mlambo, 26, came in as 1st Princess and Chido Emma Maziriri, 26, was voted 2nd Princess at the event which took place on the sidelines of the ZimExpo Business Exhibition in Dallas, Texas, from May 23-26.
Thandazani Ndlovu won the online Miss Photogenic Competition.
The annual ZimExpo exhibition is now held in three countries – the United States, Canada and Britain.
The winner of the Miss Zimbabwe contest in the three countries is automatically entered into the Miss Zimbabwe Tourism pageant usually held in Zimbabwe between August and November.
Zonde, from Belvedere in Harare, received her crown from outgoing Miss Zimbabwe USA 2007, Chingasiyeni Nduna.
Organisers hailed the event as a major success and shifted focus to ZimExpo Canada to be held on July 26.
“We are tempted to come back to Dallas next year,” said Sandy Karanda, a spokeswoman for the organisers. “The event was an incredible success and we hope to receive the same kind of support from Zimbabweans in Canada, and the UK at the end of August.”
TOP: Miss
Zimbabwe USA 2008 Charmaine Zonde beams for the cameras
Miss Zimbabwe USA 2008 Charmaine is studying for a Masters in Nursing Anesthesiology and Texas-based Mlambo, from Borrowdale, Harare, graduated with a law degree this year. Maziriri, also from Texas, is a nurse.
Charmaine said: “Three years ago I entered the Miss ZimUSA pageant and I came as 2nd Princess. At that time, I entered simply because I love beauty pageants and I have always wanted to pursue modeling as a career.
“This year, however, my motivation came from something totally different. It came from a hunger to make an impact on the health situation in my country and so I decided to compete again.
“As I continue my studies, I have had a lot more exposure on the importance of women and children’s health which is where my passion lies. I was driven to win the crown this time because through it I know I can obtain the voice that I need to make a change. I look forward to working with everybody who is all aboard for a healthier Zimbabwe.”
WINNING
SMILE: The beauty queen in swim-wear
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