Miss Zim USA crowned
SHORT-HAIRED 23-year-old Andile Nobuhle Mpofu has been crowned Miss Zimbabwe USA 2016.
Andile was crowned Miss Zim USA at a ceremony held in California, Los Angeles a few weeks ago.
Andile was born and brought up in Zimbabwe. She grew up in Mazowe before her family moved to Harare when she turned 18.
“I attended my primary school at Amandas Junior School in Concession and finished my high school at Harare High. I am currently a Business-Economics major with a minor in Finance student at Green River College in Auburn, a town 30 minutes away from Seattle, Washington in the United States.
‘‘I have always wanted to model, that is ever since my mother introduced me to it at about the age of five. I started off by doing beauty pageants for Edgars. My greatest modelling inspiration came from my mother. She actually was my first modelling instructor; she taught me the basics and the disciplines of modelling,” she said.
Andile said she decided to pursue her modelling passion after relocating to America.
“When I then came to the US to pursue my tertiary education, modelling was still an option that I have now decided to pursue. My mum is not here with me in the US to coach me like she used to but my aunt is around. She is my new coach and the entire family here is just so supportive of my dreams. My journey to the Miss Zimbabwe USA 2016 crown has been fun and challenging. Beauty pageants are really fun to prepare for if you have people to support you.
Andile said her message to the girl child as a Miss Zim USA ambassador is to pursue their dreams.
“My message to other girls and women out there who want to pursue modelling is GIRL YOU ARE GORGEOUS! As women we need to redefine beauty all over again. Beauty glows from inside-out, it has nothing to do with neither the brand of makeup you are wearing, the type of weave you have on nor the brand of clothes you are wearing.
“I stayed within my budget and did not go overboard with my expenses. I kept my hair short and nappy because that is the true me shining from deep within. So if you are a young girl wanting to get into beauty pageantry do it and go by your rules. Redefine beauty and educate yourself, be beautiful and intelligent. Gone are the days when we used to let society make rules for us. 2016 is the year to let your most natural-you shine,” she said.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Alexandria Ashton was crowned 1st princess, while Carol Shingirai Munyenyiwa, a Bulawayo girl landed the 2nd princess position.