Emerging model Gamuchirai Chigwada, has set sights on the coveted Miss Africa crown as her first major achievement on the ramp, in pursuit of leaving a mark in her fledgling modelling career.
By StYLE Reporter
Chigwada, who is studying for an Honours degree in Administration at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), has participated in the Miss Global and Miss UZ beauty pageants where she finished as a finalist.
In an interview with The Standard Style, the 21-year-old said she was ready to participate in the competition with the anticipation to redress social ills if she wins.
“I believe this would be a huge opportunity for me to get a bigger platform to represent women empowerment and also to be involved in programmes, which work towards the eradication of poverty in Africa,” she said.
Growing up in a Christian family in the dusty streets of Kuwadzana in Harare, the damsel — who describes herself as “an openminded and morally upright young lady” — insists that her humble background could inspire an impactful career.
“Growing up in a marginalised high-density suburb where the girl child had no voice, I felt I could use my passion for modelling to gain a platform to represent the voiceless girl child,” she said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“I would also utilise the modelling platform to bridge the patriarchal gap through empowering women.”
Drawing inspiration from her late father, who was also in the modelling industry, winning a major pageant as well as mentoring upcoming adolescent talent tops her priority list in the next half decade.
“In five years I should have won at least a major pageant. Also within that period I should build adequate resources to begin grooming young models as early as from primary school and give them a platform for success,” she said, bemoaning negative perceptions of the trade as a major impediment locally.
“The modelling industry in Zimbabwe is growing, but its full potential is still being hindered by the stigma being faced by models since it is still regarded as immoral in some of our societies.”
Chigwada also urged fellow models to take the lead role in championing moral uprightness to inspire the young in addition to proving naysayers wrong.
