ZIMBAWBEAN beauty Thandekile Muringa was crowned Miss Zimbabwe USA 2010 at a glamorous event held at a Washington Hotel last month.
The event, hosted by ZimExpo consortium is an annual event that draws Zimbabweans from all over the USA for a weekend of family fan, sports, business forums, and to witness the annual coronation of a Zimbabwean beauty in a foreign land.
The 22 year-old is studying finance in Chicago and says her ambition is to start a foundation aimed at strengthening young women’s financial literacy and help prepare them for careers in finance and accounting.
Thandekile is also a seasoned golfer who enjoys planning events and fundraising.
She says during her tenure as Miss Zimbabwe USA she will endeavor to raise funds for the under privileged in Zimbabwe.
Already, she has founded a non profit organization called Young Urban Investment Co, whose primary focus is to teach high school age students financial literacy and money management in low income neighborhoods of Chicago.
She has also served for a year as a Community Service Coordinator for the National Association of Black Accounts as well as on an AIDS Project in Chicago.
Thandekile is proud of her Zimbabwean heritage and says she will continue to raise the country’s flag high
The first and second princesses for this year were Kaya Chipungu and Lisa Mhloyi respectively.
Dr. Lloyd Matowe, the publicity officer for ZimExpo, said the event gives young women of Zimbabwean origin the opportunity to showcase their beauty in the most diversified country in the world.
“This event opens many doors for young talent that otherwise would go undiscovered. ZimExpo will work with Zimbabweans from all walks of life to make this event even better in the future,” he said
A number of Zimbabweans were also honoured for their contributions in upholding “Zimbabwean values abroad” at this year’s ZimExpo.
Nominations for the awards which covered areas such as community service, business, entertainment and sport were made by Zimbabweans resident in the US through the internet.
Dr. Godfrey Sikipa, a Public Health Specialist with more than sixteen years experience in both clinical and public health practice won the community service award.
He is a former permanent secretary in the ministry of health and is involved in organising networks of non-resident Zimbabweans that raise funds to assist the government in refurbishing health facilities.
Institutions that have benefited from these efforts include Mbare clinic in Harare and Pelandaba clinic in Bulawayo.
Gloria Mpofu won the volunteer of the year award while the businessperson of the year award went to Eunice Dube who runs a successful employment agency.
The sports person of the year award was won by former Highlanders player Mkhokheli Dube who now features for Major League Football side New England Revolution.