MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU-Urban grooves artiste Trevor Dongo is set to lit the Miss Gweru beauty pageant scheduled for Milan Family Restaurant on September 30, 2023.
The event will see 15 models battling it out on the ramp for the tittle running under the theme “Protecting the girl child, combating drugs and substance abuse”.
Ages of contestants range from 18-30, single and Gweru residents only.
The roping in of Dongo will give revellers a time to relax and reflect.
Event organiser, Faith Mazana who is also Milan Family Restaurant chief coordinator told The Midweek Watch that the event will be bigger as most of the local companies are supporting the premier contest.
She however, said modeling as a career and a profession is slowly being degraded by people who are masquerading as model coordinators and directors.
Mazana added that for years models have experienced criticism from society, harassment, sexual advancement and low esteem coupled with low wages, hence the need to support them.
“All brands should ensure that models are working or participating in humane conditions and compensated appropriately for their time and effort.
“It has gotten to a point where it is hard for them to justify their complaints, they would rather give up and never dare to speak of the abuse because of the risk of being shut out of the industry, losing opportunities and ending their career which results in them venturing in drug and substance abuse,” said Mazana.
The pageant coordinator added that allowing young girls to partake in career modelling will keep them busy and away from drugs which are rampantly abused in the country.
She highlighted that the “Brands need to take accountability and come together with others within the industry to better the girl child’s life by offering more protection”.
Adding that the zero- tolerance policy that protects the girl child, prevents and punishes any perpetrators is of paramount importance in order to curb indiscipline in the industry.
This year’s Miss Gweru premier will be sponsored by Suskwe Lodge, Mahogany Sound, Glow Petroleum, River Valley Properties, Mahein Glam, Booties Pharmacy, CN Photography, Middrive Driving School and Pinnacle Modeling Agency.
The contest is designed to empower the girl child with knowledge of fighting abuse.
