By Brenna Matendere in Gweru
THE Miss Midlands Agricultural Show contest for this year saw a major fallout between the perennial sponsor and organisers of the event in a development that has come as a major setback for the annual beauty showcase.
Blue Line Electrical Appliances (Pvt) Ltd, trading as Homelife Electrical Appliances, who have been the major sponsor of the pageant which saw them pumping US$15 000 in the partnership, pulled out on the eve of this year’s edition held on August 17.
The development saw organisers of the pageant scrounging for a stand-in sponsor, a move that saw a major decline in the value of prizes as compared to previous years.
While last year’s winners got prize monies and electrical gadgets such as refrigerators, stoves and irons, among others, this time around the rewards were meagre as a result of the fallout. In total the prize money amounted to ZWL$2 200 for the three winners.
National University of Science and Technology biochemistry graduate Samkelisumusa Makombe (26), who was crowned this year’s Miss Midlands Agricultural Show, got a paltry ZWL$1 000 cash, while first princess Precious Chenai Mandemwa got ZWL$700. Chipo Polite Hlanganiso (23) from Kwekwe Polytechnic, who was second princess, got ZWL$500.
Contacted for comment, Homelife management supervisor Charles Bias blamed alleged high level of unprofessionalism, betrayal, lack of transparency and ill- treatment by the Midlands Show Society as the major reasons they withdrew their sponsorship.
“As a company, we are disappointed by the Judas’ kiss we got from the Midlands Show pageant organisers,” Bias said.
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“Just imagine, we are the pioneer sponsor of the pageant and we did all the donkey work during its humble beginnings, but we were left with no option, but to quit because of their unprofessionalism.”
Bias said his company had a torrid time showcasing its promotional materials at a stand they had bought for exhibition during the show days as officials from the Midlands Show Society allegedly victimised his staff.
Organisers of the pageant could not be reached for comment on Friday.
