BY Melinda Kusemachibi The sky is the limit for Kadoma model Evelyn Yeukai Gumbo as she navigates the modelling route and set to represent Zimbabwe at Miss Ecotourism to be held in South Africa, in October this year.
Budding with confidence after winning awards like the Face of Lockdown 2020, Miss Winter Zimbabwe 2021 and Miss Ecotourism Zimbabwe 2022, Gumbo said she is ready to raise the national flag high in South Africa even though it is her first time to contest internationally.
“I am very confident that I will bring the crown home as I am working very hard for this,” she said.
Gumbo said hard work and persistence have been key towards her success although the industry is centralised in Zimbabwe’s two big cities.
“It is generally difficult to be a model outside Harare or Bulawayo because the industry is centralised in those cities. Other cities, my hometown included do not offer as much opportunities thus limiting my potential. But hard work has been the key towards my success,” she added.
The 23-year-old model is the reigning Miss Ecotourism Zimbabwe after shrugging off the challenge of several contestants.
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As a student studying Geography and Environmental Studies at Midlands State University and inspired by fellow models, Pauline Marere and Sindiso Ndlovu, Gumbo hopes one day to be an inspiration to other young models in Africa.
“A number of models inspired me, the likes of Pauline Marere and Sindiso Ndlovu. My sisters are my biggest role models as they have shown me the power of determination, hard work and have always been available to support me. For the young women out there, l want to tell them that it is hardly easy at first but it is worth the fight,” she added.
As part of her role as Miss Ecotourism Zimbabwe, Gumbo is involved in organising clean up campaigns in her area and institution, as she focuses on spreading awareness of #NoToLitter.
Miss Ecotourism Zimbabwe national director Ntombana Tuturu said the pageant is a platform for the world to share issues that promote tourism.
“Our main focus is promoting ecotourism while supporting tourism in Zimbabwe. The whole pageant is all about advocating for anything green in Zimbabwe mainly the environment. So I hope that the finalist will spread awareness through advocacy,” said Tuturu.
Tuturu wanted to contest herself, but due to personal reasons could not, leading her to talk to the founder of the international pageant and was granted the Zimbabwe Licence.
The Miss Ecotourism beauty pageant focuses on conservation of the natural environmentto promote tourism promotes and benefits everyone involved. Ndlovu is the first Miss Ecotourism Zimbabwe queen.
Last year more than 10 countries contested and Nigeria was crowned champion.