The Sunday News
Mthabisi Tshuma, Sunday Life Reporter
IT is her appealing eyes, enchanting smile, astounding confidence and obviously the alluring looks that can not go unnoticed, this describes the youthful model Fiona from Gwanda.
Growing up, 18-year-old Fiona Gumede has always desired to be a professional model waltzing on the ramp. The experience she has gained at beauty pageants has increased her enthusiasm for modelling.
This beauty from Phakama suburb in the mining town of Gwanda, has carved out a career for herself out of modelling in the mining town and is working towards developing her dream to turn her dream a reality.
The dream was and is, modelling. This dream is real today, as Gumede was last Saturday crowned the first princess at the Miss Valentine Gwanda 2018 contest after shrugging off competition from other contestants.
More diamonds were unleashed on the day as 18-year-old Genteel Mabutho was crowned Miss Valentine Gwanda 2018 Queen while Phantel Phiri (17) and Bokang Ndlovu (19) were named second princess and Miss Personality respectively.
Gumede held her head high, and waltzed on the incline easily. The fully-packed crowd at Mkhekhelezi Leisure Centre was shocked by her confidence and of course she received an overwhelming applause from them.
She is confident, fearless and expresses herself well. She is determined to demonstrate to the world that even a small town girl can become whatever she desires to become given the opportunity and being confident in themselves.
The click sound of her stilettos for the night wear category synched with the popular beat of Davido’s Fall, one could swear she could hear the music that blast from the speakers.
The quiet young person says she has cherished being part of modelling events modelling since kindergarden and believes she was destined to be a model.
“I have been competing in modelling shows since l was at pre school so much that I believe that this is a profession that I must use to develop myself. I need to be a role model for the girl child, particularly girls who live in small town and have been overlooked because of the areas they come from,” she said.
“With this accomplishment, I need to empower them to realise their dreams completely in spite of the places they come from.”
Asked to describe herself, Gumede said that she is basically a go-getter.
“I am yearning to show the least bit of kindness to someone. I am strong-willed because I never surrender without a battle. Regardless of what life tosses at me, I never surrender rather I transform each challenge into a favourable position”.
Miss Valentine Gwanda 2018 Ms Mabutho, an A-level student at Gwanda High School said her next stop is to be part of the Miss Zimbabwe and Miss Tourism Zimbabwe modelling contests.
“This is my first achievement and this is the start of my new journey as a model as in the future I wish to compete with other models from all round the country at the Miss Zimbabwe or Miss Tourism Zimbabwe and this will be after all the hard work l put in modelling.
“I wish to make a living out of my talent and be able to be an inspiration to the the young ladies in my community,” she said.
Silethokuhle Dube, who organised the Miss Valentine show, said most up-and-coming models in small towns were failing to develop as they lacked exposure.
“l look forward to becoming a bigger brand and hope to get support from people who have the funding me to make modelling careers out of the talent in small towns. Finance isneeded to facilitate the growth of models. This does not only refer to models but also young artistes,” Dube said.
@mthabisi_mthire.
