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Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
MISS Tourism Zimbabwe this week enters the final phase before the national competitions with the models being in boot camp for two weeks and touring various tourist sites around the country.

‘‘Unveiling the beauty of Zimbabwe’’ is this year’s theme of Miss Tourism Zimbabwe whose sashing ceremony was held at Yadah Hotel in Harare last week.

Twenty one aspiring models are set to compete at the national finals to be held at Holiday Inn in Bulawayo this Saturday.

MTZ licence holder, Sarah Mpofu-Sibanda, said the queens are on a tour of Zimbabwe to familiarise themselves with tourist attractions.

“While in Harare for the beginning of the boot camp we visited the Prayer Mountain and Heroes’ Acre. We then proceeded to Masvingo where the queens visited Great Zimbabwe, Lake Kyle and Tokwe-Mukosi Dam,” said Mpofu-Sibanda.

She said this week the models would visit Victoria Falls before coming back to Bulawayo tomorrow in preparation for the national finals.

“The queens will be staying at the Rainbow Hotel. So they are seeing one of the Seven Wonders of the World and we saw it imperative for them to be there,” said Mpofu-Sibanda.

She said preparations for the national finals are going along smoothly and the models are very excited.

“We just have a few things to tie up in terms of preparations but everything is on schedule. I’ve been travelling with the girls all over the country and the mood in the camp is upbeat. They are all looking forward to the national finals. During the visits we also take time to rehearse what they’ll be doing on stage,” said Mpofu-Sibanda.

She said the prize money and list of entertainers will be announced this week.

The 21 contestants for the national finals are Anelisiwe Ndebele, Sibusisiwe Falala and Tendai Sibanda (Bulawayo), Tafadzwa Jaricha, Life Matunzeni and Silethemba Maphosa (Manicaland), Chantelle Dlamini, Hannah Maramba and Ivy Ncube (Matabeleland North), Ashleigh Mutsa and Agatha Kulingah (Midlands), Panashe Kimberly Peters, Nelia Marisa and Maita Kainga (Harare). Masvingo will be represented by Gamuchirai Jonhera, Ruvarashe Makuu and Faith Dube with Ruvimbo Mukandatsama representing Matabeleland South. Kudzai Chivinge will represent Mashonaland Central, Natalie Mangondo Mashonaland East and Pauline Marere Mashonaland West.