Manicaland National Dress dinner lives up to its top billing as Miss Uhuru models showcase the fabric in flamboyant fashion
The glamorous affair was inspired by the First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa's national dress initiative.
By Nigel Pfunde,recently in Mutare
Mutare- THE National Dress Manicaland dinner held at Skyview Conference centre Saturday courtesy of YoungWomen4ED Manicaland lived up to its top billing with the who is who in Manicaland gracing the momentous occassion which was capped with Miss Uhuru beauty pagaent where models showcased the national dress in a flamboyant fashion,Express Mail Zim can report.
The event, held in Mutare, was a glamorous affair inspired by the First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa’s national dress initiative.Guest of honour, Tourism Minister Barbara Rwodzi, encouraged young women to embrace the national dress as a way to promote patriotism, cultural heritage, and national identity. She also praised Amai Mnangagwa for her efforts in promoting gastronomy tourism, which will be highlighted at a United Nations forum on July 26 in Vic Falls.
During the well organised YoungWomen4ED powered national dress dinner at Skyview Conference Centre, a spectacle highlight of the event was the Miss Uhuru pagaent, where models strutted their stuff on the ramp clad in different designs of the national dress fabric. Manicaland representative Life Deliwe Matunzeni was crowned Miss Uhuru 2024 and awarded USD$2000, while the First and Second Princesses received USD$1,500 and USD$700 respectively.
Event coordinator Zinzile Mantiziba expressed gratitude to all stakeholders, including YoungWomen4ED Manicaland and its national executive, the Tourism Ministry, and the models, for their collaborative effort in making the event a success. She also thanked the Resident Minister Misheck Advocate Mugadza and traditional leaders for their support.
Looking ahead, Mantiziba expressed interest in spreading the Miss Uhuru pagaent to other provinces and continuing to empower young women. The event also featured a musical performance by Clr Sandra Ndebele, who entertained guests with her song “Ingoma.”
Overall, the YoungWomen4ED led National Dress dinner and the subsequent Miss Uhuru Manicaland pagaent was a grand celebration of Zimbabwean culture and national pride, thanks to the vision of Amai Mnangagwa and the hard work of all involved,chiefly YoungWomen4ED, Devolution minister Advocate Misheck Mugadza and other stakeholders.
The Miss Uhuru organising commitee was made up Zinzile Mantiziba, Rinos Rambi ,Logic Chiremba and renowned event management consultant Edith Mugarisanwa of Tofara Events who made sure the event was ‘off the chain’
Meanwhile, in her post on X , ICT minister and YoungWomen4Ed chair Hon Tatenda Mavetera said:
“Embracing Heritage, Empowering Futures: Miss Uhuru 2024 shines in the National Dress challenge, an initiative led by Her Excellency Dr. Amai Mnangagwa.Her victory symbolizes unity and progress in collaboration with YoungWomen4ED Manicaland Chapter.”
All participants walked away with USD100 and one of the major sponsors was Scott Sakupwanya led Better Brands who were represented by Cuthbert Chitima.
