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Simbarashe Mutizwa Showbiz Reporter
NEWLY crowned Miss Earth Sandiswe Chikomborero Bhule says she has been given a huge role to play after being chosen to be the country’s environmental ambassador and representative at Miss Earth World finals later this year.Bhule was crowned queen at a pageant held at Bulawayo Theatre last weekend, battling stiff competition from 12 other contestants.

The 25-year-old model is now preparing to contest with over 100 beauties in Manila, Philippines on November 29, in the world finals.
Simbarashe Mutizwa (SM) caught up with the beauty (SB) and had a chat with her.

SM: Who is Sandiswe Chikomborero Bhule?
SB: I was born on July 18, 1989 in Harare moved to Bulawayo where I was raised. I attended Fairview Primary School and Bulawayo Adventist High School. I then moved back to Harare in 2005 where I did A-level at Mabelreign.

SM: When did you start modelling?
SB: I can say I started modelling professionally this year. Miss Earth was the first national contest I took part in. The only other contest was a kids’ one when I was 10 years old.

SM: Who inspired you to model?
SB: Growing up, I used to watch beauty pageants and remember seeing Dionne Best being crowned Miss Zimbabwe in 1995. I told my mum I wanted to be crowned queen like her. Now, years later, I’m following in her footsteps.

SM: Of all the pageants, why did you choose to enter Miss Earth?
SB: I fell in love with Miss Earth’s mandate as I for the past two years found myself falling in love with the environment. When I heard about the pageant, I did not hesitate to join.

SM: Considering that Miss Earth was the first pageant you contested in, what does being crowned queen mean to you?
SB: I have a huge responsibility ahead of me, that of being the environmental ambassador, not only in Zimbabwe but also outside borders. I am excited to be representing the country in the Philippines where I will contest for the Miss Earth world finals. I am going to do my best to bring the crown to Zimbabwe. I am happy that I managed to break the stereotypes found within beauty contests, were some people think being short means you cannot take part in a contest. I think I’m the first short and dreadlocked contestant to be crowned queen.

SM: What are you planning to do as Miss Earth?
SB: My plans are to continue with the project that I was doing when we were Miss Earth finalists. I did a project with Kuwadzana Primary School which was known as Environment Matters. This project resulted in an environmental club being formed at the school and we made shopping bags out of old T-shirts. I am also planning to plant 10,000 trees in Zimbabwe together with my runner-ups. We have already planted 17 trees at King George VI Primary School in Bulawayo.

SM: How are you preparing for the Miss Earth World finale?
SB: Going to the Philippines is a big step for me. I want to be conversant with issues concerning my country, so I can represent our nation well on an international platform. I am working hard towards the event to get that sculpted look. I am also taking good care of my skin and learning more about our culture.

 SM: Besides modelling, what else to you do?
SB: I work at the Hypercube Hub as a Hyper Geek responsible for the administration and events. I also started my own trust called Footprints to offer children life skills training.

SM: What are your hobbies?
SB: I enjoy surfing the internet, writing poems and stories, listening to music and being at a quiet place all by myself.