The 2017 Miss Tourism Zimbabwe (MTZ) has been launched with the newly appointed Minister of Tourism, Environment and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Edgar Mbwembwe as the guest of honour.
The conference was organised by MTZ Spokesperson, Spencer Manyemba who echoed the main goal of MTZ is to empower and promote the girl child, brand Zimbabwe and promote Tourism in Zimbabwe and in Africa.
Addressing the delegates and the media at the conference held in Harare recently, Manyemba described the move as a key calendar event which enhances Zimbabwean brand locally and abroad.
He said, “We aim to establish an indelible legacy in beauty pageants in Zimbabwe, the region and the world at large.”
It was revealed the MTZ’s current and future plans are centred on Girl Child Programmes as some current and former participants were victims of all forms of abuses by either guardians or relatives.
The application process was opened from 1 July up to 6 September and to date the organisation has received more than 200 applications from all over the country and from this 200, a select few will make it to the final live show on the 9th of December at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC).
MTZ has a number of sponsors who will come on board with different packages of sponsorship and these includes Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), ZAS, Bella Marie, Kuzvida Image, First Legal Society, Shava Foods, Angels Hair, Air Zimbabwe and Fast Jet among others.
Honourable Mbwembwe urged the 2017 participants to b tenacious despite challenges they might come across.
“TO THOSE WHO WILL BE SELECTED, BE A STAR YOU WANT TO BE AND SHINE YOUR OWN LIGHT. FOLLOW YOUR OWN PATHS AND DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE DARKNESS THAT COMES WITH CHALLENGES OF GOING THROUGH THE TEDIOUS BOOT CAMP PROCESS TO GROOM YOU” Edgar Mbwembwe
The launch was attended by Honourable Miriam Chikukwa, ZAS CEO Anxious Masuka, Honourable Deputy Minister Anastacia Ndlovu as well as Zimbabwe Trade Affairs (ZTA) representatives.