On the night of 31 May, a sizeable crowd thronged the University of Zimbabwe Great Hall to witness a much-anticipated battle of beauty and brains that is the annual Miss UZ pageant.
Running under the theme ‘Radiant Reflections: Shaping tomorrow through today’s actions’, the pageant lived up to its billing in more ways than one.
The red carpet was made for the glitzy and glamourous. The Great Hall, which is usually a terrifying exam venue, was transformed into a dazzling arena fit for a pageant. The ladies were immaculately dressed, well trained for the cat walk, and spoke eloquently.
Trevor Dongo, Kae Chaps and Ishan delivered top notch performances that left the attendees asking for more.
Rightly so, the night remains etched in the memories of all those who had the honour of being there for it all.
In the end, it was a Part 2.2 student currently studying Business Management (Systems Design and Applications) by the name of Chengeto Kanyai who finished the night as Miss UZ.
Tinotenda Mandova and Hazel Chikukwa went home as First Princess and Second Princess respectively. Miss Photogenic went to the ever-smiling Trish Kamuzonde. Nicole Tanyanyiwa’s sizable fanbase earned her Miss Popularity, while Millicent Chigede won Miss Talent. Patience Bhumure received the Miss Personality sash.
For the first time ever, Mcheno And More was there to document this year’s edition of the Miss UZ. We were there for the auditions, privy to the preparations; and had a front row seat to all the action on the night of the show.
It was only right that after the dust settled, we’d immortalize the woman who held all the honours at the end.
We caught up with Miss Kanyai barely a week after she was conferred the coveted Miss UZ title and engaged in quite an enlightening conversation that touched on her journey to the crown, the woman behind the sash; and her vision for her reign. Enjoy!
Chengeto, congratulations! Please take us back to the moment you were crowned Miss UZ. What was going through your mind?
I couldn’t believe it, I was shocked. I almost collapsed on stage when they called my name. As it slowly started sinking that I’m the one who had actually won the pageant, it felt amazing.
It’s been barely a week after you became Miss UZ, and as you said it’s still slowly sinking. How has been the experience of being the queen of the campus? What has been the reaction around campus and online?
Everything has changed, and I’m slowly accepting it. I now have responsibilities as Miss UZ, and my schedule has gotten so busy.
On campus, people see me in public and they instantly recognise me as ‘Miss UZ’, which has taken some time to get used to because I’m used to just being called Chengeto. But I’m slowly getting used to it.
On social media, obviously there is going to be a mixture of positive and negative comments. At the end of the day, it’s all right. It comes with the spotlight.
During the auditions for Miss UZ 2024, you were billed as one of the favourites for the crown. What motivated you to come and audition for the pageant?
To be honest, I wasn’t planning on doing Miss UZ this year. However, my name kept coming up on the Wishlist of girls that the students wanted to contest this year’s edition.
I even wondered why I kept showing up on the Wishlist, but my friends just encouraged me to go for it. So, I decided to go for it.
Describe how you felt during your audition? Was this your first time entering a pageant?
During the audition, I felt confident of making it past the first round. I had prior experience with pageantry, whilst most of the other girls were coming in for the first time.
This was actually my second Miss UZ. Last year, I contested and got into the Top 15 finalists.
When you got to the finalists, you knew that you had to beat 13 others to get to the crown. How did you prepare yourself for the journey?
As for me, I had the extra burden of having contested last year. Imagine trying for a second time and still failing to make the podium! I had to work really hard because most of the girls were very talented.
I’d rehearse late into the night, sometimes even up to midnight. In heels, imagine. We’d go to the basketball courts and practice the questions.
What challenges did you face on your way to the Miss UZ crown?
The rehearsals were so demanding, and I had to attend without fail because I had signed up for this.
The preps (sic) for the show also coincided with exam season, so I had to manage my time well and cut out distractions.
Our readers want to know who Chengeto is. Can you tell us a little but about yourself?
I’m a simple 21-year-old girl, born and bred in Karoi. I’m the third-born in a family of four. I’m currently staying here in Harare with my big sister.
I can say I’m someone with a fun, sociable personality; I get along with everyone. During rehearsals for the show, I got a reputation for being a jokester amongst the girls. I’m still in touch with all my fellow contestants.
On the night of the show, did your family come to support? What was the reaction from your family when they heard that you won the title?
My brother was the only one who managed to attend, everyone else couldn’t make it. My brother was very supportive of me during the whole show, he was making a lot of noise whenever I got on stage or it was my turn to answer questions. I’m sure everyone who was there at the show remembers him (laughs).
When I won, my whole family was over the moon. I still remember my parents and my sister calling me on the night, at 2am to congratulate me.
As part of the winners’ prize, you’ll be going to Dubai for a week? Will it your first time travelling overseas? What are you looking forward to the most for the trip?
Yes, it’s going to be my first time. I’m so excited, and I look forward to new experiences and witnessing a different culture.
You mentioned that your schedule is already getting busy. What are some of the responsibilities and opportunities that have come your way so far?
There are lot of brands and companies that have already been approaching me to be their ambassador.
So, I have to attend meetings with them and hear out their offers and terms. It’s been a busy schedule, there’s no time to rest.
What kind of impact are you hoping to make as Miss UZ 2024? Any issues you’d like to particularly advocate for?
I want to focus on women empowerment and encourage entrepreneurship here on campus. There are a lot of talented students, and if they can get an opportunity, they can be somewhere else.
I aspire to help my fellow students empower themselves and others through their talents.
How do you want people to see and remember you during your reign?
I want to be remembered as a queen who brought an impact to the Miss UZ title, and gave it even more value than it already has.
I want to leave something tangible that people can remember me by, through my actions over the course of my reign.
Beyond your reign as Miss UZ, do you plan on taking modeling as a career?
Yes, because I know I can achieve it if I just put in the work. I plan to focus on pageantry only.
What advice would you give to the young girl out there who aspires to be a pageant queen one day?
Firstly, be proud of who you are.
Second, don’t be afraid to go for whatever you want to do in life because if you put in the effort; the results will show.
One last random question. Obviously, everyone is wondering; what is Miss UZ’s relationship status?
I’m currently single, and I wouldn’t say I’m searching (laughs).
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For Chengeto Kanyai, the second time was the charm. After narrowly missing out on the honours in 2023, she picked herself up and went all the way for the crown this year. Such relentless determination makes her a deserving queen.
We’ll be keeping up with the queen of the campus during her reign to see if she’ll do justice to her promises.
As the Autumn/Winter 2024 season makes way for Summer/Spring 2024, be assured of consistent, quality coverage on everything fashion, art and culture from Mcheno And More.
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