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Arthur C Evans

Langalakhe Mabena, Showbiz Reporter
BULAWAYO models who were nominated for this year’s Zimbabwe Model Awards, are set to leave the city this afternoon for the annual event that will be held in Harare tomorrow.

This year, the City of Kings and Queens is well represented and is pinning its hopes on 15 models.

Leading the pack is Skyz Metro FM radio personality Arthur C Evans who is nominated in four categories Best Fashion, Best Promotional, Best MC and Best Voice Over and up-and-coming model Amanda Fynn, who is based in neighbouring Botswana, nominated in three categories – Most Curvy, Most Beautiful and Best Fashion.

The 21-year-old Fynn said she hoped to do the city proud.

“This is my first time to be nominated and I feel honoured. I’m really looking forward to winning all the three awards,” she said.

Other Bulawayo models who were nominated are Miss Tourism Zimbabwe Ashley Morgen, Ben Chest, Jimmy Mhlanga, Miyamikho Banda, Sane Ncube, Pam McFront, Toni Mukwasi, Liam Hall, Shadel Noble, Bathabile Dlamini, Welshman Sibanda, Wade Beaton and Nyasha Makuvire.

Also doing it for Bulawayo is Sibusisiwe Dube, who is based in Harare. The former Miss Bulawayo beauty queen, a product of Sarah Mpofu who has groomed several notable models including her young sister – Nonhlanhla Dube who is reigning Miss Agro Tourism, will be honoured with an Appreciation Award. Award’s organiser, Mercy “Catwalk” Mushaninga who is credited for grooming many models like Malaika Mushandu and Tanya Chikuni said Dube was being honoured for her unwavering support and guidance that helped in nurturing many models.

Said Mushaninga: “We saw it fit to host such a ceremony because a lot of disciplines had been catered for while modelling had never been acknowledged.
“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 this sector.”

Mushaninga who hosted a series of Miss Harare competitions and is the face behind the popular Miss Curvy, said she would continue empowering the girl child as well as ensure that the modelling industry does not die.

“I hope that Africa will host international pageants such as Miss World so that local models can benefit,” she said.