Samantha Tshuma in Thailand

Entertainment
FORMER Miss Tourism Zimbabwe Samantha Ntombizodzwa Tshuma is in Bangkok, Thailand representing the country in the inaugural Miss Grand International.

FORMER Miss Tourism Zimbabwe Samantha Ntombizodzwa Tshuma is in Bangkok, Thailand representing the country in the inaugural Miss Grand International. SINDISO DUBE OWN CORRESPONDENT

Chris Mhlanga, Samantha’s public relations manager, confirmed the model’s participation in the international pageant in an interview with Southern Eye Lifestyle.

“She has arrived and the place is treating her good as she prepares to take on the world,” Mhlanga said.

Tshuma arrived in Bangkok on November 4 and immediately warmed up for the pageant’s preliminary round which will take place next week.

The coronation night is scheduled for November at the Beauty Thunder Dome.

The pageant’s mission is to bring the message of peace and harmony to every corner of the world.

Tshuma is set to battle it out on the ramp with other 85 beauty queens from different parts of the world.

The eventual winner of the pageant would have a new residence at the Tower in Midtown area of Bangkok during her reign as well as being the ambassador for peace.

The winner of the pageant will walk away $30 000 richer while the first and second runner-up will take $10 000 and $5 000, respectively.

Mhlanga urged Zimbabweans to support their representative.

“I hope the nation would support through frequent visitation of the official pageant website, Facebook and also casting online votes,” he said.

Tshuma’s participation raised eyebrows with many saying she cheated her way into the Miss Grand International finals from the initial national winner Fungai Mawada.

Mhlanga argued that Mawada would not have made it in Thailand.

“She (Mawada) would not have made it as there is stiff competition there and we could not have forwarded a representative that we knew was not going to deliver. This was a decision we made after serious considerations and trying out all the girls and we were running out of time as well. We had to make such a decision,” Mhlanga said.

Mhlanga also added that they were now preparing for next year’s search and promised it is going to be bigger and better.

“We will be looking for young beautiful, focused and disciplined girls and only the deserving will go through.

“People should know that getting a pair of heels from the Diaspora and growing a following on social networks is different from being a supermodel, which requires discipline and dedication. That is what got Samantha to where she is right now,” Mhlanga added.