The Sunday News
Rumbidzai Mbewe, Sunday Life Correspondent
IN 2012 she was crowned Miss Southern Africa Zimbabwe and that was her first mark into the modelling industry. From there she never looked back, she took her modelling career to greater heights and this year she will be representing Zimbabwe at the Miss World Cosmopolitan.
At the age of 23, Letwin Tiwaringe known to some as Queen Lee has achieved what some other people older than her are still dreaming of.
The beauty queen said she was ready for the Miss World Cosmopolitan which is set to take place in Malaysia on 30 September.
“Miss Southern Africa Zimbabwe was my first title. Actually I won two titles that night, I also won Miss Personality. To me it was an eye-opener. I learnt a lot that modelling is not all about beauty but you must be intelligent as well. They used to ask us a lot of questions about Africa and from there I learnt a lot. I am glad I was part of that experience,” she said.
Last year she was the first black model to make it to the top five at the World Next Top Model. She said the pageants that she has participated in have made her gain the much-needed exposure as well as experience.
“I feel I already have the much-needed experience and I also go to the gym to keep my body in shape. I am also happy for the support that I am getting from my family and different organisations. My family has always been there for me even when I won Miss Harare,” she said.
Queen Lee was very confident that she will bring something home from the pageant. She said she will be performing an African dance at the pageant.
“I possess both inner and outer beauty. I believe I am going to come back home with a title or even reach the top three. I am 184 cm tall and I am confident that I am going to be among the tallest girls. There is a talent show as well so I will also showcase my dancing abilities,” she said.
Record-breaking seems to be what this model is good at doing; in 2014 she received a philanthropic award for the work she did with orphans from Mbuya Nehanda Children’s Home.
“I am very proud of being the youngest Zimbabwean to receive such an award so far. I received this award from the Philanthropy Institute of Zimbabwe. Last year I was among the top 10 great icons in Zimbabwe such as Jah Prayzah just to mention a few,” said Queen Lee.
The beauty queen is planning on launching her own designer label that will be named Queen L.
Miss Cosmopolitan World 2016 will be organised in the host country, Malaysia for the very first time in the history. It will be an International Beauty Pageant comprising 30 countries and more. This prestigious event will be hosted by Amelia Productions, the founder of Miss Cosmopolitan World.
@rumbie_mbewe
