PREPARATIONS for the local Miss Earth beauty pageant have started with an invitation to models to start applying.
NONHLANHLA SIBANDA OWN CORRESPONDENT
The pageant running under the theme “Beauties Nurturing Nature” was founded in 2000 and its aim is to raise environmental awareness.
It was founded in Manilla, the Philippines, and it is the third largest in the world after the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants.
Thandekile Muringa, former Miss Zimbabwe US and Miss Earth Zimbabwe who runs the event, said the application process was underway and they will be taking entries until April 30.
“We are specifically looking for young women who will be ambassadors of the green movement in Zimbabwe. After we have received all entries, we will begin a nationwide interview process. From the pool of applicants we will select the top entries to attend a panel interview,” she said.
The former title winners are Dimitra Markou of Bulawayo and Samantha Dika of Harare (current Miss Earth).
The winners of the Miss Earth Zimbabwe title will represent Zimbabwe at the world finals of Miss Earth which are normally held in Asia.
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Interviews will be held in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare and Victoria Falls.
The purpose of the interviews is to select models that possess both external beauty as well as intelligence.
“Ultimately we will select 20 finalists who will compete for the title of Miss Earth Zimbabwe,” Muringa said.
“After being selected as a Miss Earth 2014 finalist the young women will be expected to come up with an environmental project in the community they live in and work on that project until the time of the pageant.
“This project will be factored into the final scoring of the judging process of the pageant,” she added.
“We think it’s important to emphasise that although modelling is about the glitz and glamour, the Miss Earth Zimbabwe Foundation seeks to give young women a platform to promote environmentally-friendly practices as well as sustainable living.
“For a year the winner of the pageant and her runners-up will work on various projects across the country in a bid to discourage deforestation, encourage the planting of trees, promote wildlife management and to drive eco-tourism in Zimbabwe.”
The final of the pageant will be held in late August in Bulawayo.
Last year the pageant was held in Harare and the international pageant will be held in November in the Philippines.
