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Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
ORGANISERS of the Miss Environment Zimbabwe beauty contest have scrapped the swimwear category saying it is not in line with the ethos of the beauty pageant and would be replaced by a surprise category.

The pageant that bounces back after a two-year break will now be held at Hartsfield Sports Grounds on November 28 having been shifted from Horizon Night Club.

Bulawayo-based model and designer, Nkanyeziyethu Malunga was the inaugural winner in 2012.

Green 4 Lyfe director, Briaton Takundwa said they felt swimwear was not appropriate because Miss Environment Zimbabwe was more of a community oriented pageant that promoted ubuntu.

“We have done away with swimwear and replaced it with something very interesting which is a surprise. We are more of a community oriented pageant that wants to promote the norms and values of ubuntu,” he said.

Takundwa said they wanted to promote the image of women and stripping models was not the way to go.

“We want to bolster the image and confidence of a woman so stripping her in public is not appropriate,” he said.

Takundwa said there were 18 models vying for the national crown and they would be judged by the environmental work they have done in their community.

“The 18 contestants are not the total. We had 28 girls in the beginning and they resigned or dropped out on their own because they had not met the set timelines for certain stages of their projects to be completed,” he said.

Takundwa said people should not be surprised if they see fewer girls on the ramp on the night of the pageant.

“During pre-judging we shall also screen the girls. Those who go through are those who have completed their projects. If they have not completed, they will not be allowed to go further,” he said.

Turning to the judges, Takundwa said they had chosen a panel of six judges who were drawn from different sectors of the fashion industry.

“We have enlisted people like, Thandiwe Chingonzo of Zimbabwe Clothing Manufacturers Association, Sunday News Senior Reporter Peter Matika, Nontokozo Dube CEO of Touch of Class, Innocent Kufa General Manager of Rainbow Hotel, Naledi Kulube of Environment Management Agency and Maidei Makope of Mzansi 4 Sure,” he said.

Takundwa said entertainment would be provided by Zimdancehall musicians Tsanga Midzi from Harare, Pax Gomo, 3D Family DJs, Nashie of the Chibhorane fame and Mic Carter.

He said bubbly presenter Sizwakele Ndlovu who will dressed by him, will be the MC on the night.