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Showbiz Correspondent
BULAWAYO beauties former Miss Zimbabwe Vanessa Sibanda, Oslie Muringai, Lorraine Maphala-Phiri, Bongani Dhlakama and Samantha Tshuma are up for various accolades at the Zim Models Awards slated for Harare next month.

According to a list released yesterday, the beauties will be part of 46 categories that are meant to celebrate the modelling industry at Rainbow Towers on August 21. The awards are being supported by the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture with the support of the corporate world.

United Kingdom-based model Nyasha Matonhodze, who models for French luxury fashion label Louis Vuitton, will grace the awards ceremony.

The Deputy Minister of Sports Art and Culture, Tabeth Kanengoni-Malinga is expected to head the panel of judges at the ceremony.

Also part of the list is the Sarah Mpofu-Sibanda headed Fingers Modelling Academy and Amanda Mutangadura’s AM Modelling Academy which are vying for the Best Modelling Agency accolade.

Juliet Nyathi, who won Miss Zimbabwe in 1981 and represented the country at Miss World of the same year, is also up for an award.

Chronicle Showbiz Editor Melissa Mpofu is up for an award for being the Best Fashion and Modelling Journalist.

Mpofu-Sibanda said the awards were long overdue and she was excited that someone wanted to reward the hard work that they had done all these years.

“These awards are long overdue and it’s a plus for someone to recognise what we’ve been working hard for all these years. Being nominated for something you enjoy doing is exciting and an icing on the cake. It shows that someone is watching you and they appreciate the time and impartation of knowledge you’ve dedicated”.

She said she was proud of the models that made it to the list especially the ones she groomed at her academy.

“I’m proud of my girls who’ve made it on the list and it shows that my name will live on forever. They will do me proud as I have groomed them to be the best in the country,” said Mpofu-Sibanda. Products of Fingers Modelling Agency are Dhlakama, Sibanda and Tshuma.

The awards are a brainchild of Mercy Mushaninga and Rose Moyo.

Mushaninga said preparations were at an advanced stage.

“We saw it befitting to host such a ceremony because a lot of disciplines have been catered for. Fashion and modelling is also a career that can be taken seriously to sustain livelihoods. That is the reason why we chose to recognise those making it big in the various arts sectors,” she said.

The award ceremony will honour stakeholders in the modelling industry as from 1980 to present day.

These are categories that will be up for honours.

1. Best Model of the 80s (female)

2. Best Model of the 1990-2000

3. 3. Best Commercial Model

4. Best Promotional Model

5. Best Pageant Model

6. Most Curvaceous Model

7. Outstanding Charity Project

8. Most Talented Model

9. Most Promising Model

10. Best Fashion Model

11. Most Photogenic Model

12. Best Model of the 90s

13. Best Commercial Model

14. Best Promotional Model

15. Best Fitness Model

16. Outstanding Charity Project

17. Most Talented Model

18. Most Promising Model

19. Best Fashion Model

20. Most Photogenic Model

21. Teens Female (13-19 years)

22. Best Pageant Model

23. Best Commercial Model

24. Kid Models

25. Best Model Agency of all times

26. Best Model Agency

27. Best Teen Pageant

28. Best Pageant all times

29. Best Pageant

30. Most Promising Pageant

31. Best Pageant Organisers

32. Best Fashion Show

33. Best Label

34. Best Choreographer

35. Best Photographer

36. Best Designer

37. Best Fashion House

38. Best Fashion Magazine

39. Best Beauty Shop

40. Best Cosmetic Brand

41. Best Hair Products

42. Best Trend Setters Male/Female

43. Most Flamboyant Male

44. Most Flamboyant Female

45. Best Fashion and Modelling Journalist

46. Special Awards