GWERU – Ms Africa Continent finalist Tapuwanashe Manyange, working with Miss Gweru 2017, donated clothing supplies to Queen of Peace Children’s home on Sunday as part of the pageant’s efforts to assist the less privileged in the community.
Manyange, who was recently picked to represent Zimbabwe in the Ms Africa Continent finals at a boot camp in South Africa, together with last year’s Miss Gweru winner, Michelle Tugwete, mobilised and donated clothes, blankets and shoes to Queen of Peace Orphanage.
The 21-year-old beauty queen, who grew up in Gweru and recently relocated to Harare, said she is striving to make a change in the lives of the less privileged through efforts to restore their dignity.
“The aim of the MS Africa Continent pageant is to restore dignity and assist in any ways possible in our communities and on the African continent,” said Manyange.
“I have learnt that you can give someone at least their dignity back and will use the Ms Africa Continent to make a significant change in my community.”
The 2013 Miss Summer Midlands and 2017 Miss Legacy Zimbabwe Queen said it was not difficult to mobilise resources for the donations. She drew assistance from a school in Harare and other well-wishers.
“It didn’t take long to mobilise the resources, after an interview on national television on my intended charity project to collect preloved clothes, blankets and other materials to donate to orphanages as Ms Africa Finalist, many people were willing to help.
“On this particular project students and teachers from Nova Status Christian Academy Harare assisted as well as several other individuals,” she said.
Manyange said Queen of Peace was the orphanage of choice because she has a soft spot for Gweru as a place she grew up in.
As a word of motivation to Zimbabweans, Manyange said self-belief is the best quality.
“Believe in your infinite potential. Your only limitations are those you set for yourself. Never let self-doubt hold you captive,” she said.
Manyange’s former schoolmate and Miss Gweru 2017, Michelle Tugwete, said she was delighted to assist and the experience gives positive energy and hopes to team up again in future to continue with the charity work.
“It’s a small gesture like giving a basic commodity to someone in need that makes a positive change. I’m glad I could help and all the parties involved made it easy and I will certainly donate again,” Tugwete said.
The Ms Africa Continent finals are set for Johannesburg from November 23 to December 2, 2018.
Ms Africa Continent is an annual international beauty pageant run by ProAct Communications along with Miss World, Miss Universe and Miss Earth contests.
It was founded in 2014 and contestants come from all over Africa.
