THE Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has lifted a ban on Zimbabweans living abroad from taking part in the Miss Zimbabwe pageant finals.
The policy U-turn came after the ZTA met organisers of the UK pageant, Miss Zim Diamond. Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi backed the rethink.
Miss Zim Diamond organisers have been holding regional finals around the UK which will culminate with the finals in London on September 10.
Glorianne Francis, the founder of the pageant, said: “Miss Zim Diamond has been officially endorsed by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. The first ever Miss Zim Diamond and her first princess will now be allowed to enter Miss Zimbabwe in 2012, allowing them the opportunity to have a shot at competing on the global arena either at Miss World, Miss Tourism International or Miss Universe.
“There will also be an exchange programme for the winners between Zimbabwe and the UK. The winner of Miss Zim Diamond will also be the endorsed as the official Zimbabwe Tourism Ambassador in the UK.”
Econet Mobile, which started a UK service in August last year, has signed up as a sponsor along with the ZTA.
The ZTA announced last year it was preventing winners of Zimbabwe-themed pageants in foreign countries from the national contest after UK-based Cynthia Muvirimi became the queen in 2007-08.
The ZTA claimed Muvirimi, a midwife, was unable to fulfill her charitable commitments in Zimbabwe, which she denied, pointing out she spent the best part of seven months in the country and travelled between Harare and London six times.
Sugar Chagonda, the ZTA’s cooperate communications manager, explained at the time: “The idea of having a foreign-based contestant was stopped because in an event that she wins, she would have to relocate to Zimbabwe so that she executes her duties.
“In most cases, the contestants are not willing to make such a commitment."
Now ZTA bosses admit it is unfair to exclude Zimbabweans living abroad from the pageant.
Said Francis: “We are passionate about flying the flag in the diaspora and creating awareness of the beauty and talent Zimbabwe has to offer. To have Econet as our headline sponsor is an honorable endorsement from a company that has one of the most admired businesses amongst Africans.
“There is strong brand recognition of Econet by people across Africa, more so Zimbabweans and it’s such a privilege to have Econet on board as we see them as an African success story.”
Several Zimbabwean celebrities have lined up to support Miss Zim Diamond, including Noisettes star Shingi Shoniwa, Tinashe, sprinter Brian Dzingai, former cricketer Henry Olonga, Bkay & Kazz, Metaphysics and Jusa Dementor.
For more details about Miss Zim Diamond, including autitions, CLICK HERE