By Dickson Bandera
When Mr. Simbarashe Gwawawa speaks about modelling, his words carry the weight of conviction. To him, the runway is not just a strip of polished floor lit by flashing cameras—it is a platform of empowerment, a stage for cultural pride, and a springboard for national development.
“Modelling promotes our fashion, markets our national brand, and develops careers,” he says with quiet authority. “It’s time the world knows there is more to modelling than swimming costumes. When you become a queen, you are not just crowned for beauty—you become the mother of the people.”
That philosophy has become the heartbeat of Miss Fabulous Zimbabwe International Pageant, the flagship programme under the Zimbabwe Youth and Cultural Identity Enhancement Trust (ZYCIET), which Gwawawa founded.
Since its birth in 2022, Miss Fabulous has redefined what it means to be a beauty queen.
The competition, open to women aged 18 to 35, goes far beyond tiaras and sequined gowns. Contestants are asked to bring their full selves to the stage—through poetry, music, acting, and community service. Beauty, in this arena, is measured not by the curve of a smile but by the depth of one’s purpose.
The upcoming third edition, set for 26 October to 1 November 2025, promises to be more than a showpiece of fashion and grace. It will be a celebration of identity, creativity, and responsibility. ZYCIET itself has stretched Zimbabwean culture beyond its borders. From cultural exchanges in Italy and Sierra Leone to performances in Mozambique, Botswana, and Zambia, the trust has steadily built bridges across continents. In 2024, it proudly represented Zimbabwe in Brazil, proving that the country’s creative spirit can speak in a global language.
What sets Miss Fabulous apart is its philosophy of training the whole woman. Contestants may learn how to glide across a catwalk, master etiquette, and polish their professional image, but their journey does not stop there. They are also schooled in entrepreneurship, leadership, and community engagement. Each queen leaves the stage with not only a crown but a vision—to champion sustainable projects and serve as a cultural and corporate ambassador.
“At this year’s Sanganai/Hlanganani Carnival, we will be advocating for corporate support for models through brand ambassadorships,” Gwawawa explains. “We want modelling to create real economic value while preserving Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage.”
The proof of this vision lives in the journeys of those who have passed through the programme. Tania Nyika, has become one aspiring poet, now commanding stages with her voice and words. Charity Rwodzi, who walked in as a contestant, now thrives as a professional model with an expanding career. Both women credit ZYCIET and Miss Fabulous for turning opportunities into legacies. Their stories are gentle reminders that crowns can be keys—unlocking doors to the creative industries, where talent finds space to grow.
Above all, Miss Fabulous insists on a queen’s duty to give back. Winners are tasked with charity initiatives and community projects, embodying Gwawawa’s philosophy: “Queens are mothers of the people.”
In that statement lies the quiet revolution that Miss Fabulous has sparked. Modelling in Zimbabwe, once dismissed as a shallow pursuit of beauty, has evolved into something far greater: a platform of leadership, a tool for empowerment, and a legacy in the making. Here, gowns meet growth, and crowns come with responsibility.
And as Zimbabwe prepares to host its first International Cultural Conference from 1–7 December 2025, the message could not be clearer. The world is watching. The stage is set. And Zimbabwe is ready to tell its story—through beauty, through culture, and through queens who are more than faces, but voices, leaders, and mothers of a nation.
