MILLICENT HUNGWE
The Urban Lifestyle Hotel in Masvingo was brought to life with culture, talent, and celebration as Mental Voices Trust successfully hosted the Mr and Miss Rural Masvingo 2025 pageant on July 19.
Girls and boys between 18-25years from across the province showcased not just beauty and confidence, but also raw talent and potential.
Lovemore Mapfura Nyanyira from Chivi South was crowned Mr Rural Masvingo 2025, First Prince went to Simbarashe Mugwinyi from Gutu East and Second Prince Aleck Chibaya, also from Gutu East.
Miss Rural Masvingo 2025 went to Daphney Maluleke from Chikombedzi, Gonarezhou in Chiredzi, First Princess was Lydies Mutanha from Masvingo under Chief Charumbira, and Second Princess was Angeline Taruvanda from Chiredzi.
National Pageant Manager Tavakanashe Sithole praised the winners’ talents. “Nyanyira is a great dancer, public speaker, and has a comedic flair similar to Sabhuku Vharazipi and the late Gringo,” he said.
“Mugwinyi is a talented singer with traits of the late Oliver Mtukudzi, and Chibaya is a natural leader and gifted dancer like Jah Signal.”
For the ladies, he said, “Maluleke is a multi-talented artist in dance, acting, and music — the next Sandra Ndebele, Mutanha is eloquent in public speaking and poetry, and has the potential to become the next Rumbidzai Takawira.
“Taruvanda is a vibrant singer and dancer, much like Fungisani Zvakavapano.”
The winners’ names have been submitted to the Masvingo Provincial Minister of State Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira, who pledged to enrol those who didn’t complete school at Mushagashe Training School to pursue vocational courses of their choice.
In a life-changing move, all participating models including non-winners will receive funding between USD 500 to1 000 based on projects they propose.
The Pageant Manager emphasized that this support aims to help them become self-sufficient and support their families, particularly by paying school fees for their younger siblings.
The top six winners will share 2,000 broiler chicks, generously donated by Hamara, setting them on a journey toward entrepreneurship.
The Mr and Miss Rural Masvingo pageant proved to be more than just a show it was a platform of transformation, empowerment, and rural pride.
