HARARE-BASED model Sarah Van de Ruit has become the latest winner of the popular online pageant – Miss Face of Zimbabwe.
Sarah edged strong contender Cynthia Qongo, who finished a close runner up in the online polling.
Sarah succeeds Miss April, the Cyprus-based siren Lethukuthula Sibanda, a close relation of Miss Universe-Zimbabwe 1996, Langa Sibanda.
A former student of Peter House School in Marondera, Sarah has been a model since the age of 16 after being spotted by Judith Williams who runs Model Management International – a leading modelling agency in Harare.
Since then, she has been quietly notching top-end modelling assignments in-between her full time job as an accountant at a local firm.
The popular beauty received the highest public votes and the highest nominations from an experienced panel of Face of Zimbabwe judges.
SA based model and actor, Melgin Tafirenyika, who sits on the judging panel of Face of Zimbabwe described Sarah as a “a photographer’s dream and a strong contender for the Face of Zimbabwe 2012 crown”.
Another judge, UK based model Carol Kumbukani commended Sarah for her passionate display of love for her motherland and desire to represent the country in the competition.
She added: “Face of Zimbabwe is about finding the face that represents our beauty and diversity and Sarah captures the spirit of the competition.”
The unique Face of Zimbabwe pageant, which launched last year, recently confirmed its first major sponsor – G Telecoms – a leading supplier of mobile phones and accessories in Zimbabwe.
The 12 winners of the monthly contests will be entered for the final to be held in Harare on December 15, say organisers.