I have always wanted to be a model of some sort, it was one of those things I have sincerely wanted to try out. For years I used to dream of being stumbled upon by some agent the way Naomi Campbell was scouted, and that is still a dream. Up to now I wonder if we have scouts in Zimbabwe – maybe there are, but they haven’t seen me yet. I am finally a model and it is not as much glitz and glamour as I thought it would be! I am a Miss Earth Finalist for 2014, does that make me a model? I think it does!
In 2010 when my cousin and I started an Artiste Management Agency and I thought my dream had been taken away from me because “who would hire the one who hires the models?” I resorted to walking around in high heels everyday & strutting my stuff while crossing the road as a song played in my head. It must have been the most hilarious thing ever to witness, especially because I really did “work it” while I crossed roads and then I would walk normally as soon as I touched the pavement. Those were awesome days! I was 20, felt like I owned the world & I was the queen of everything! The agency was alive for 6 months then we closed it because of my full time employment elsewhere.
Every now and then I remembered the time I told my mom and aunties that I was going to be Miss Zimbabwe one day. It made sense to them because I was a tall, beautiful 6 year old with the loveliest hair & eyes! I was watching the Miss Zimbabwe 1995 pageant with my family and I had been vouching for Dione Best who went on to win the contest. As soon as she was announced as the winner, the loud mouthed little girl that I was decided she was going to be Miss Zimbabwe & everyone simply had to know. I was sitting / lying on the floor & told them one day that was going to be me. It is weird how for a couple of months that was my dream till I got onto a plane and decided I wanted to be an air hostess instead.
My career choice kept changing, at some point I wanted to be a neuro-surgeon after hearing about Ben Carson, then I wanted to be a paediatrician because babies make me light up, I remember wanting to be a geologist because my uncle was one, the list and reasons are endless. Now I just want to make a difference in any way that I can and work with my two favourite things on earth; people and smiles.
The Miss Earth Zimbabwe Foundation promised me a platform to create a sustainable difference & I must say they did deliver on that promise! This is a pageant with a difference because all finalists have to run an environmental project for 60 days and the project constitutes 40% of our total pageant scores. It is only natural that I chose to work with people and smiles for my absolutely fulfilling green project! I have been working on my project called “Environment Matters” in Kuwadzana since the first week of August.
All I can say right now is my experience has been simply eye opening, enlightening and amazing! I can’t wait to share it with you all. My next few blog posts will be about my project and how the Miss Earth Pageant is slowly chipping away at the tomboy in me. Yes, sometimes I am angry at that – I love my simple hair, tees, jeans and sneakers: BUT I am also discovering that I like lipstick, curled locks, mascara & pretty dresses too. I am not sure how I feel about foundation though, however I know concealer is amazing!
It seems most people are liking my new look, my aunt Nomvula looked at my Whatsapp profile picture one day, sent me this message – “Siyabonga iMiss Earth nge profile pic” (“We thank Miss Earth for the profile pic”) then told me to thank the Miss Earth Foundation on her behalf. I haven’t done as she asked so;
“Dear Miss Earth Foundation,
Thank you for giving this opportunity to my niece and for contributing to the lovely profile pictures we are seeing on social media. I hope this is here to stay or at least to be constant.
Love,
Aunt Nomvula”
I hope you guys will all enjoy my Miss Earth Finalist journey – I promise you, it has been very different from what I expected it to be!
The river flows. . .
I am an avid follower of your blogs, and I love how your authenticity comes across in each one of them, job well done. Please don’t stop? can we make it a weekly thing?
Thanks a lot! I am sure WE can make it a weekly thing!;)
Miss Earth Zimbabwe pageant is a beatiful thing. After working 60 days on a project that benefits the community, in my view, AAALL the finalists are winners. Though of course I am biased towards Sandiswe Chiko Bhule.
My pen is capped
Jerà
Hahaha! Thanks a lot though! Yes the competition is quite stiff!
This is a fine piece of writing. It is inspirational to a lot of people. I hope young boys and girls find some time to go through this. Im inspired too bcoz im one person who have pending dreams. Its unfortunate that due to some circumsytances,my dreams couldnt materialise in time. Im still working on it and im motivated more by your piece. I have dreams and i believe its never too late for anything. Thaaanx dear
Never let circumstances stand in the way of your dreams! Do a little bit today and tomorrow and on all the other days – it will amount to so much more at the end of the year. Instant gratification is for lazy and impatient people. So go for your dreams! You are right, it is NEVER too late for ANYTHING at all!
Amazing. It just shows how one can appreciate what they are doing. It is called adding value to ones self and society.
Thank you! I am really appreciative of the people I managed to reach through this title, and the ones I will reach after. It is an amazing journey. It also helps that the other finalists are really on fire & they challenge me!
Wow…. i agree with Aunty. please thank them on my behalf too. 🙂 smiles and giggles… looks like the Naomi Campbell in you has been discovered
icopy-paste ngiyayazi mnwawami! lols thanks Chantel! I hope it is here to stay in one way or the other! 🙂
Live your dream, Chiko…….Live it hard and live it well…well done!!
kikikiki thank God the tomboy phase is gone…forever!!
LOL yes, it is almost over
Wow! I believe you were born with a pen in your hand (like they say, born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth, lol). And you remind me soo much of me! Though I never dreamt of becoming a model, I wanted to be an actress then a peadiatrician (after i had tonsilitis at age 7 & an op to get them removed) then I wanted to be a paramedic, then an air hostess then a psychologist…. the list is endless.
Aww…you were such a sweet child! Wish you all the best on your journey to becoming Miss Earth Zimbabwe!
Oh yes, I must say I was an interesting child. We grew up with the privilege of knowing about many careers, I hope every child in the world gets that at some point and time in their lives!
Indeed you were an interesting child, wish i had known you back then… 🙂
Am loving the make-up, the hair… hmmm… you could teach me a thing or two (being a plain Jane, i use Camphor for evry part of my body except the lips – I use vaseline!) 😀 Foundation what what.. thats greek to me! Lol!
hahahaha! Yes, now I am almost a ninja! lols I am getting there bit by bit! I am even thinking of having a YouTube channel for that stuff. I will call it Learning with Swe 🙂
I never for once doubted your capability in a way you an inspiration for sure and you leaving footprints in the sand for us to follow in the journey of self discovery you have made an impact and touched lives and keep going never tire n crown or no crown you are the best sis keep at it BE AMAZING//
Crown or no crown – we will still leave those #Footprints! This time we will leave them in cement so that they do not get washed away by the rain! Thanks mnawami!
Wow, very inspirational and motivational. well done Swe and keep dreaming and doing.
Thank you Fari! I hope you will have time to read through the whole blog 🙂 I promise you it is good 🙂
Living the dream, doing what you love. That is all
Oh yes! That is what I am doing!
I have confidence in you,.You are intrinsically motivated and intellectually sound.Go get the crown gal,,you have all it takes to win,,,so why not?
Thanks a lot Aunty No! I hope you can see for a FACT that I thanked the Miss Earth Foundation on your behalf! 🙂
awwwww go Sandy…. good read
Glad you like it Tary!
Great work!!! Keep it up
Thanks Nontu, all the best for your project!
The compassion you show to the people Kuwadzana is really inspiration for us all. The way you treat everyone with respect and kindness, no matter what the situation is will help you succeed in whatever you do. I just want you to know that your work hasn’t gone unnoticed especially your conservation efforts in Kuwadzana and Zim at large. Continue the good work!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you very much James! I am humbled by you r comment – I hope to do more for the Kuwadzana Community through Miss Earth and through Footprints.
There will be a time in the not too distant future when people will start looking at the whole Miss Earth Pageant in a really positive light….
You articulate things so well, that we are not yet fully aware just how great an ambassador you have been, are and will be for them. Where most of these pageant contestants fumble about spewing the coached answers to the standard canned questions, WENA my friend are probably just rattling off all that is abundantly overflowing from deeeeeeeeep withinn you.
You were destined for an impact! This just happens to be one of the vehicles you will be blessed with to enjoy your ride.
I wish I could have seen the #PamaRobotsStrut!!
Eish! For the first time my gift of the gab has disappeared, thanks for your kind words Simba!