…13 finalists make the cut for 2019 Miss Tourism Manicaland

Ngoni Dapira
THIRTEEN models were drafted as the finalists for the 2019 Miss Tourism Manicaland pageant and underwent the sashing ceremony which was held at Holiday Inn Mutare last week Monday.

The 2019 Miss Tourism Manicaland finalists.

The finalists who were sashed are Melissa Matsikure, Gamuchirai Mutero, Nicole Musiyarira, Yemurai Dzama, Delight Chiwanga, Alvina Murimba, Tinashe Madondo, Rumbidzai Zvinokona, Tinovonga chipinduro, Maxine Marowa, Gracious Manyanhaire and Rutendo Mafuratidze, while one of the finalists, Sophia Simende was not present because she was writing her June examinations.

Miss Tourism Manicaland license holder Caroline Marufu-Buwu (left) with Zimbabwe Tourism Authority eastern region manager Ropafadzo Dunhira (red jacket) sashing one of the models.

Miss Tourism Manicaland license holder and former model Caroline Marufu-Buwu said she was impressed by the finalists and hopes to groom another crown queen at the national pageant. “The sashing ceremony went well and we are now preparing for the provincial pageant which will be held on 27July at Montclair Hotel in Nyanga, where we are anticipating to host a glamorous pageant and hope to see a big crowd. We are calling upon individuals and corporate sponsors from Manicaland to come on board with pledges or sponsorship deals and help us make this a grand pageant. To truly make it a Manicaland pageant, our concept will see us moving around each year hosting the provincial pageant in different districts in the province. Last year it was held in Mutare, this year its Nyanga and next year it will be another district, maybe it will be Rusape,” said Marufu-Buwu.

The reigning Miss Tourism Zimbabwe Tafadzwa Jaricha receiving her prize car.

Marufu-Buwu said the auditions were open to all girls from Manicaland that were between the age of 18 and 24 years with an interest in advancing their modeling career through the prestigious contest. Manicaland is currently the reigning province with the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe crown that was won by the 22- year old lawyer Tafadzwa Jaricha. As the crowned Queen Tafadzwa also received the top prize of $10 000 and a Mercedes-Benz C Class. Manicaland also wrote its own history at the 2018 national pageant after two of its models won. This followed the crowning of Miss Tourism Manicaland first princess Life Matunzeni as the Miss Tourism second princess.

Real Eeez and the Wasu Nation band in action.

On another note, to serenade the invited guests there was a live performance by the locally based, dynamic Afro-pop duo, Real Eeez, that performed with its Wasu Nation band for the first time. The duo of Emmanuel and Enoch Ngarakana is fast becoming popular in the local music circles, mostly known for their energetic performance on stage. They first sang their song called ‘Mutare you are Beautiful’ which speaks about the natural beauty of the eastern border city followed by their love song called ‘Eya’ a song sang in the local Ndau dialect which was a collaboration track with urban grooves king Rokford ‘Roki’ Josphats. The duo also sang “Famba Neni” a love ballad which really resonated with the event.

The event was graced by a few invited guests from the corporate world and some representatives of local modeling agencies. Each model was tasked to give a brief profile about a tourist destination of choice from Manicaland in their introductions as a test of how much they know about their home province.