daniel chigunwe
Trust Khosa
Miss Rural Zimbabwe founder, Sipho Mazibuko, has vowed to continue scouting for models in 2025.
The contest, which caters to rural models aged between 18 and 25, aims to empower marginalised or rural girls with grooming and etiquette skills.
Mazibuko’s team has been casting for models in rural communities with the blessings of local chiefs.
To date, they have covered Matabeleland South, while Matabeleland North is their next stop by the end of January.
In an interview with The Herald Arts, Mazibuko expressed her satisfaction with the progress made.
“We have made significant progress in scouting for rural models with the help of traditional leaders as a way of promoting rural girls.
“We are also introducing Mr Rural Zimbabwe, which will run concurrently with Miss Rural Zimbabwe, to provide equal opportunities for both rural girls and boys. Under this pageant, we are promoting natural beauty, where the contestants must be 100 percent rural,” she stressed.
Powered by Mental Voices Trust, Mazibuko’s team aims to hold all the preliminaries before May 2025, with the grand finale scheduled for June.
“We have a well-designed program that will run until mid-year. With resources permitting, we want to accelerate the preliminaries to ensure that contestants have enough time to prepare for the national event.
“Cultural awareness is one of the main areas we are focusing on. For instance, Matabeleland South Province is known for its beadwork, so the provincial winners will wear beaded jewellery everywhere they go to showcase their culture.”
In addition to promoting cultural awareness, Miss Rural Zimbabwe has been praised for its campaign against drug and substance abuse, which is rampant in some rural communities.
“We have been using this contest to raise awareness about drug and substance abuse, which has affected some rural areas. We are also promoting environmental awareness as well as HIV/AIDS awareness. We can’t afford to be silent because these issues also impact rural communities.”
The Bulawayo-based pageant guru has been using the contest to promote the national dress, winning the hearts of many fashion designers across Zimbabwe.
“These competitions will not only encourage Zimbabweans to embrace the national dress fabric but also foster the creation of designs that resonate with people from all walks of life
“Through our popular TV programme, UBuhlebendalo, our presenters and models will proudly showcase these stunning designs, capturing the attention of viewers across the nation.
“At Miss Rural and Mr Rural Zimbabwe, we believe in supporting local talent and providing opportunities for designers to thrive.
“By seeking sponsorship for the national dress designers’ competition, we aim to offer designers a platform to showcase their skills and earn income from their remarkable creations,” she added.
Mazibuko told The Herald Arts that the contest will grant designers invaluable exposure to a nationwide audience, enabling them to build customer bases and expand their reach.
“To celebrate the rich cultural diversity of Zimbabwe, we have decided to involve designers from each specific district and province.
This ensures that each region’s unique identity is beautifully represented through the garments worn by their models. By doing so, we foster a sense of pride and ownership among Zimbabweans, allowing them to connect with the national dress fabric on a personal level.”
Siphakeme .Mnindwa
