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Besides the traditional national pageant for the most beautiful woman in a country, pageants have also evolved to match the ever changing global patterns.

The pageants include Miss Tourism, Miss Earth, Miss Environment, Miss Tourism Deaf, Miss Curvy, Miss Disability and Mr and Miss Diamond.

These pageants have brought smiles to aspiring models who have been disadvantaged, as the organisers are no longer sticking to the traditional requirements of modelling — being tall and slim.

Bulawayo models have been strutting their stuff at some of these major competitions in the country and have arguably become a force to reckon with in the modelling industry.

Two Bulawayo beauties — Cynthia Moyo and Melissa Chaka shined at the recently held Miss Global International pageant when they were crowned first and second princess respectively.

By virtue of being the first princess, 21-year-old Chaka was ordained Miss Heritage World, while Moyo was crowned Miss Tiens 2012.

The pageant, originally from Jamaica, was held in the country for the first time.

Chaka, the Miss Heritage World Zimbabwe, could not hide her joy over her achievement.

“I am so ecstatic on clinching the Miss Heritage title and this is just the beginning, I have faith that there is more to come,” said Chaka.

The beauty, who is not new on the ramp, joined professional modelling three years ago and has remained optimistic that one day she would make it.

“I started serious modelling at the age of 18 and I took part in a number of pageants that include the Miss Southern Africa 2010 and Miss Bulawayo competition in 2010 and 2011 respectively,” said the pencil-slim model.

She indicated that she had already begun preparations for the Miss Heritage pageant to be held on 13 October in South Africa.

First Princess and Miss Tiens, Moyo said she was also happy with her achievement although she was eyeing the Miss Global title.

“I am so happy with my achievement although I was confident I would bring the Miss Global crown to Bulawayo as is the trend with models from the City of Queens,” said Moyo.

She said she was working on fighting discrimination against people with disabilities and empowerment for disabled persons.

“Let’s not let disability get in the way. I want to raise awareness — I want to turn disability into ability.

Disability is natural. We must stop believing that disabilities keep a person from doing something. Because that’s not true, having a disability doesn’t stop anyone from doing anything,” said Moyo.

Harare model Mutsa Mutare clinched the Miss Global International Zimbabwe 2012, beating 19 other hopefuls to get a ticket to represent the country at the international tourism pageant to be held in Jamaica.