Chronicle (Zimbabwe)

Miss World Zim cancelled

- Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspond­ent

THE Miss World Zimbabwe competitio­n for this year has been cancelled due to the economic challenges.

This means that the country will not be sending a representa­tive to the Miss World finals at the ExCeL Arena in London in December.

Miss Zimbabwe Trust (MZT), the licence holders of Miss World Zimbabwe through MZT administra­tor Christine Matambo said: “Due to the economic hardships that the country is facing, Miss World Zimbabwe has been extended to next year. This is because we can’t be celebratin­g when people are crying and the queen is the people’s representa­tive, so when the people are crying, she must be crying with them,” said Matambo. She said Miss World organisers have been informed that Zimbabwe will not send a representa­tive this year.

Reigning Miss World Zimbabwe, Belinda Potts will thus continue with her reign and duties until next year. Around June this year Miss World Zimbabwe held auditions in Harare to choose models for the national competitio­n.

According to media reports the finals were supposed to be held on July 27. However, they were postponed to September, then now have been ‘‘extended’’ to next year. The ladies cast during the June auditions, Matambo said, were going to get first preference next year. “Those casted will receive priority next year. We shall consider that others will change their minds and not want to participat­e, but those who stay on will be prioritise­d,” said Matambo. The last time Miss World Zimbabwe was postponed was in 2016.

During that year Zimbabwe, according to the Miss Zimbabwe Trust, had no beautiful girls fit to represent the country at the Miss World contest that year.

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