Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
TENDAI Bongani Hunda, Zimbabwe’s representative at the recently held Miss World contest in the United Kingdom says the most challenging part of the competition for her was the Beauty with a Purpose contest because she was not ready for it.The Beauty with a Purpose contest contributes a huge chunk of marks needed for one to win the Miss World title. Beauty with a Purpose is a registered charity and non-profit organisation associated with Miss World. It raises money and participates in humanitarian projects across the world.

The charity rewards contestants for the most relevant and important charity project implemented in their respective countries. The winner has since 2005 automatically made it to the semi-finals.

Miss World, Rolene Strauss from South Africa,  was in the top 10 for the best Beauty with a Purpose project.

Reigning Miss Kenya Idah Nguma was announced the winner in this category of the pageant.

“The Beauty with a Purpose project was a very big challenge for me. It was the one that I was most concerned about. I feel with the little time I had to prepare, it was difficult for me to deliver,” said Hunda.

While others had a year to prepare for the Beauty with a Purpose contest, Hunda revealed that she only did hers in a day.

“Other girls at the contest took a year to do their Beauty with a Purpose project. That’s a very long time and they could make quality films. I, on the other hand, had one day to do my footage,” she said.

Hunda said she learnt a lot during her stay in the United Kingdom and would use the experience to help future Miss Zimbabwe contestants.

“I believe my trip was a lesson for me to help other Miss Zimbabwe contestants to prepare adequately for the Miss World finals. After my reign as Miss Zim is done, I’ll offer my services as a consultant for future Miss Zimbabwe contestants and queens,” she said.

Hunda said although she was not prepared, she was confident the moment she set foot in the United Kingdom.

“I went there with one goal which was to do the best I could for my country and make people back home proud. I was not afraid of anything and never felt overwhelmed by the whole situation. I was there as any other contestant who wanted to win the crown,” she said.

Going forward, Hunda said she would pursue music, her other passion.

“I love singing gospel music. I want to record an album one of these days. I want to use the Miss Zimbabwe platform to expose my talent as a gospel musician,” she said.

Hunda said she sings at her local church called God’s Power House and loves doing so during praise and worship.

She also plans to go back to university after completing her reign.

“I was in my final year at the University of Zimbabwe doing an Honours Degree in Administration. When my reign is over I’ll go back to complete my studies,” said Hunda.

She said modelling was not all she wanted to do in life but started it by default during her schooling days at Goromonzi High School.

“There was a contest called Miss Interact Goromonzi. My friends and peers encouraged me to enter. I did so reluctantly and to my surprise I won. That was my first experience with modelling,” said Hunda.

She said she then entered Miss Zimbabwe not knowing that she was going to represent the country one day at Miss World.

Hunda took over from Cathrine Makaya who was dethroned by the Miss Zimbabwe Trust following indiscipline allegations.

Makaya had taken over from Thabiso Phiri who resigned over alleged leaking of nude pictures by her boyfriend.

Hunda as the first princess refused to take over the throne resulting in Makaya being appointed Miss Zimbabwe.

She said she refused because an impromptu Miss Zimbabwe contest where Makaya was crowned had already been organised.

“I saw that the Miss Zimbabwe Trust had already organised the Miss Zim reloaded contest. I really couldn’t contest that decision because I was happy with it,” she said.

Hunda was born in Harare on May 20, 1991 and grew up in Belvedere suburb.

She is the fourth born in a family of eight.

Hunda attended Louis Mount Batten Primary School before going to Goromonzi High School. She says she loves playing basketball and is a fitness fanatic.

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