The Sunday News
Rebecca Nyathi Sunday Leisure Reporter
AFTER being stripped of her crown and labelled the “sore loser”, Catherine Makaya, the second former 2014 Miss Zimbabwe has managed to put the whole crowning and uncrowning drama behind her and do something worth talking about.
Last year, Makaya was made national beauty queen after the first Miss Zimbabwe 2014 Thabiso Phiri stepped down in August following a nude pictures scandal.
But after just four months Makaya was then forced to pave way for first princess Tendai Hunda after allegations of indiscipline were labelled against her. As if that was not enough, she immersed herself in fire for her publicity stunt after she posted pictures on facebook wearing the same dress which was worn by her successor at the Miss World finals.
This was, however, interpreted by her critics to mean that she was failing to come to terms with what had happened to her leading to the coining of the phrase “sore loser”.
The 20-year-old however, said she had moved on. She recently registered her foundation, The Catherine Makaya Foundation where she is making a huge impact in many peoples’ lives as evidenced by the works she did to help xenophobic victims.
According to Makaya, after the Miss Zimbabwe fiasco, she got the chance to prepare for university as she was offered a full sports scholarship at the University of Johannesburg to study law.
“I thank God for the opportunity which he granted me to get involved and make a change in people’s lives as they did in mine. I registered my foundation which enables me to help people who are less privileged, especially the children.
“After the Miss Zimbabwe drama that happened last year, I prepared for university. I was offered a full sports scholarship and I am now a law student,” she said.
Not all 20-year-olds are able to achieve what Makaya has managed to do. Two months ago she helped raise money to help the xenophobia victims and she runs her own foundation.
She, however, added that it was not easy balancing her school work and working at her foundation though determination keeps her going.
“It’s quite challenging trying to juggle everything, but I have learnt how to prioritise and manage my time accordingly. What I have learnt is to sacrifice my sleep. Sometimes I do not sleep because my studies are demanding and there is a lot of work from the foundation which will be seeking my attention, but I believe I am very blessed to be granted such an opportunity and I cannot let go of that. So instead of complaining I suck it up and work,” said Makaya.
The talented athlete added that, like any other ladyher age, she is in a steady relationship.
She described her partner, David Tinango as a very understanding person, God fearing and everything a normal girl would want her ideal man to be.
“I love to keep my private life ‘private’, but in this case I will share. I am in a relationship with every girl’s dream guy. By this I mean, that David possesses every quality of an ideal boyfriend. He is the type you can take to your aunt for introductions without worrying about anything,” she said.
Makaya added that when she is not at school studying or at her school ground training, she paints and she says it helps her relax.
“I enjoy painting more than anything, I find it therapeutic,” she said.
The law student is mostly inspired by her mother who she describes as a loving and a well cultured woman, who like most mothers bends backwards to give her children a decent life.
“In everything that I do, my mother inspires me. She is a God fearing woman. I admire her humility, wisdom, strength and courage of single handedly bringing up my three sisters and I to be the most independent ladies we are today. Although it was not an easy task she did it with pride and grace. I aspire to be half the woman that she is,” she said.
Despite the challenges that Makaya has faced, she managed to keep her head above the water and aspired to make positive changes in other people’s lives while in South Africa hence raising this country’s flag high.
Makaya was recently involved in making a music video entitled Where The Outrange At.
The video was aimed at raising awareness about the evils of xenophobia.
