Harare dominates Miss Schools 2019

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Harare province swept every accolade on offer at this year’s edition of the Miss Schools Zimbabwe pageant held at a local hotel in the capital last week on Saturday.

By Tonderai Brandon Ndemera

Harare province swept every accolade on offer at this year’s edition of the Miss Schools Zimbabwe pageant held at a local hotel in the capital last week on Saturday.

Simudziranayi Community Trust director Zinzile Mantiziba, who is the brains behind the pageant, expressed gratitude over efforts made by every contributing hand to the success of the programme.

“We’re grateful to everyone who endorsed this event. Their belief and support is what drove it to success,” she said

The competition was fierce; over 22 contestants attended the week-long boot camp grasping as much of the necessary traits required to dominate in the final contest showcasing beauty, intellect, eloquence, fashion and overall female excellence.

“I’m confident with the judges’ decisions and thankful to all the girls for working so hard and having enough faith in themselves to come out and compete,” Mantibiza said.

Seventeen-year-old Chitungwiza beauty Tanaka Mushongani was crowned the queen. The Form Four student at Beverly Hills College walked away with a full-year scholarship, including hampers from TelOne and Metro Peech and a trip to Europe to go and represent Zimbabwe at an international pageant.

Chipo Nyanungu (18) of Mount Pleasant High was crowned first princess, automatically winning Miss Personality, while Aaliyah Westerhof (16) from Harare Girls High was crowned second princess. They both walked away with hampers from Telone and Metro Peech and a full-term scholarship.

Former Miss Zim Schools 2018 queen Daphne Kaseke surrendered her crown over to Tanaka, who in surprise said:

“I wasn’t expecting it. I’m shivering with excitement and as the former Miss Beverly Hills, I’m very happy to have represented my school well. As the Queen of Miss Zim Schools, my goal is to empower the girl child through projects. I want to be a modelling sponsor, helping the less privileged ones and those who are in the rural areas to pursue their modelling careers.”

The pageant has come a long way since four years ago when there was scrutiny over organisational professionalism, but has since gained momentum considering the myriad of sponsorships and endorsements for this year’s pageant.

Hip-hop musician Stunner entertained the audience.