ONE of Zimbabwe’s top models, Sharon Rutsito, is set to represent the country at the Miss Tourism Universe 2016 pageant to be held this September in Lebanon.
In an interview with Patriot Arts this week, Rutsito revealed she obtained the opportunity through an online pageant called World Next Top Model Zimbabwe.
“This online pageant was on facebook, so it was a matter of sending your contacts before registration,” said Rutsito.
In a group of 10 models who registered for the pageant, Rutsito was one of the two runner-ups selected to represent Zimbabwe.
Her counterpart, Letwin Chimona, represented Zimbabwe in World Next Top Model in May this year where she was the sixth runner-up in a pageant that had 44 international contestants.
This coming September is set for Rutsito, a 26-year-old beauty who will show her cat-walk skills in a competition against 50 international contestants.
“I feel so humbled knowing that participating in this pageant will give me an opportunity to make not just my life better, but also the lives of the underprivileged,” said Rutsito.
Born in a family of seven and being the fourth child, Rutsito has also made a name for herself by being selected as the brand ambassador of Vaida’s Cosmetics.
As a young entrepreneur, she has also participated in offering a hand of benevolence to the underprivileged.
She has donated essentials to Chikurubi female prisoners and clothes to the Chiedza Child Care in Waterfalls with the support of local companies.
“Being on Miss Tourism Universe, I see it as another chance to make other people’s lives better, especially the underprivileged, by making them realise that no matter where they are from, their dreams are valid,” she said.
Rutsito has gained some experience in participating in a number of local pageants that include Miss Global Zimbabwe 2013, Miss 21st Movement and Miss Zim Gold, among others.
Apart from being a model, Rutsito is also involved in marketing and advertising.
World Next Top Model is a competition held each year in Lebanon.
Zimbabwe, like other countries, has participated in the competition by sending a representative each year.
Rutsito, confident that she will win, said participating in such pageants is not only a case of showcasing Zimbabwe’s talent, but providing local fashion designers with a chance to participate.
Designer-houses participate in such events by providing their designers, a move which can provide the platform for international recognition for the participants.
Rutsito said although she is yet to find sponsorship and designers for her wardrobe, she is upbeat that local designers will seize the opportunity to market themselves.
Modelling is one of the entertainment activities that has received much appreciation in Zimbabwe.
It is some form of art that has provided opportunities for different companies across the globe to market and advertise their products.
Today, this globalisation era has seen products such as perfumes, cosmetics, clothes, handbags and shoes being advertised through different models.
Modelling has provided opportunities for Zimbabweans who include Brita Masalethulini, a former Miss Zimbabwe, Miss Malaika, Angelina Musasiwa and Malaika Mashandu, among others.
In Zimbabwe’s history, modelling is traced through the works of liberation heroine Kiki Divaris who made her contribution worthy by designing a gown for the first Miss Zimbabwe pageant.
Through her efforts, the late Divaris became a mythical modelling instructor who will be remembered for putting Zimbabwe under the global modelling spotlight.
Before her death, Divaris handed over the beauty pageant business to Mary Chiwenga, who is also a former model.
A number of beauty pageants popular in Zimbabwe include Miss Zimbabwe, Miss Tourism, Miss Curvy and others in colleges and university institutions.