The Sunday News
Vincent Gono Magazine Editor
THEY came, they saw, they conquered.
The above statement is apt in describing the winners of this year’s Little Miss and Mr Bulawayo pageant that was successfully held on 12 April at a fun-filled event at Bulawayo Theatre.
The Miss Little Bulawayo 2014 title was won by 12-year-old Michaela Jhones who was the oldest on the list of winners while six-year-old Lovemore Sibanda was crowned the 2014 Little Mr Bulawayo.
Four-year-old Pearl Ngwenya and seven-year-old Cheryl Tall were crowned first and second princess respectively while six year-old Ayanda Tamhla and seven year-old Shane Geza scooped the first and second prince titles.
Michaela and Lovemore won a one-year modelling contract with AM Model Management, full grooming and etiquette course and school hampers courtesy of Esats Stores – the major sponsors of the event.
The first and second princess and first and second prince were awarded full grooming and etiquette courses as well as school hampers.
The organiser of the event Amanda Mutangadura said the response to this year’s event was overwhelming adding they had to cut down the list of participants to 20 although 13 later took part in the pageant.
“I was impressed by the overwhelming response. It showed that people are now appreciating the art. The event was a huge success despite it being just in its second year. It is my wish to see it grow bigger and better every year as we work on preparing our future models,” she said.
The event has since its inception last year been sponsored by Esats Zimbabwe with the aim of scouting for modelling talent from both young boys and girls from four years to the age of 12.
Amanda said the event presented an opportunity and platform for children from kindergarten to showcase their talent and passion for modelling while at a tender age.
“The idea behind the event is to scout for young talent and instil confidence in the young models so that they grow up with the art in them,” she said.
The contest was presided over by three judges who included Margret Brewer who was the face of AM Model Management and will be representing Zimbabwe at the Face of Beauty International World Finals to be held in Taiwan from 18 September to 6 October this year.
The other two were Bianca Mpofu, a media practitioner and administrator at a women’s clinic and Dean Banda, a business entrepreneur and professional model.
Bulawayo residents have applauded the initiative, saying it was something that had been lacking in the city.
A teacher at Coghlan Primary School said the problem with Africans was that they pushed their children hard on things they were not talented in. He said most parents believe reading books was the only key to success which was not always the case.
“Don’t quote me wrong? I am not saying education is bad, no! All I am saying is that many people have talents which they have neglected for education instead of using them as complements to education,” he said.
