Zimpapers Logo

Showbiz Correspondent
WHEN young people take up the initiative to look after their environment, it augurs well for the future of the country’s natural resources.
Some use beauty as a purveyor of the message of environmental conservation through pageants such as Miss Environment and Miss Earth.
In a move to conserve the environment, about 15 Miss Earth 2014 contestants have gone green, embarking on various clean up exercises in the city centre. Places visited during this campaign include Egodini and the City Hall as they prepare for the contest taking place at the end of this month in Bulawayo.

One of the finalists, 23-year-old Nothabo Gugu Simela, said their mandate was to raise awareness on issues that affect the environment such as pollution and ecotourism.

“In an effort to increase public awareness on issues affecting the environment, I will engage in green projects in and around my community.

“The goal of these green projects is to conserve the environment not just for the present generation but for future generations as well,” said Simela.

She said the pageant was not her first encounter with issues to do with environmental conservation as she recently graduated with a BSc degree in Natural Resources Management from Africa University.

“My passion for environment started when I was at school and that is why I pursued an education trajectory that is environmentally biased. I graduated last year with a BSc in Natural Resources Management,” she said.

Simela said one of her assignments was to start a compost project at Luveve Training School for Girls meant to educate them on environmental management.

The leggy model hopes to follow in the footsteps of Samantha Dika (Miss Earth 2013), Dimitra Markou 2012 and Thandi Muringa 2011 who went on to represent the country well at the world finals.

Miss Earth Zimbabwe is a pageant that aims to empower young Zimbabwean women with the necessary tools as well as provide them with a platform to raise awareness on the importance of conserving natural resources.

This event helps create awareness on the importance of conserving the environment that covers flora and fauna which at the end of the day protects the Mother Earth.

This year’s pageant, running under the theme “Beauties Nurturing Nature” will see the winner of the Miss Earth Zimbabwe title representing the country at the world finals being held in Philippines.