Mbedzi for Miss Africa USA

Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Zimbabwean top model Vanessa Mbedzi (22) has been selected to represent the country at the Miss Africa USA finals scheduled for Silver Spring, Maryland, on June 29.
The Miss Africa USA brings together young women to represent their countries, share cultures and celebrate the power of the African woman. Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes is also
expected to grace the occasion among other notable guests.
Mbedzi is the reigning Miss Zimbabwe USA 2012 and a business student at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States.
She is expected to take to the ramp along with  23 other contestants from across Africa based in the States who are vying for the same crown. The beauty queen, who hails from the border town of Beitbridge, outclassed seven other beauties in last year’s contest.
In an interview from her base last week, Mbedzi said: “I will raise the Zimbabwean flag high and proud to be representing this beautiful nation at such a forum.
“Every aspect for preparation is important on how I will present myself, speaking on stage and personalities which will make me stand out.
“There is pressure when you are representing your country in such a big pageant but I’ll do the best I can and bring the crown home.
“I am also preparing myself for the contest and my thrust is to raise awareness against sexual violence where victims are put at risk of contracting HIV, teenage pregnancy and an ambassador of the organisation Black Girls Ignite Africa that I intend to work with.
“I will also dedicate my time to supporting and helping sexual violence victims who suffer in silence not to be afraid to speak out.
“I want to be able to be there for them, listen to them and, help them move through their recovery and focus on a brighter future.
“I also want to empower young women because if a woman is sufficiently ambitious, determined and gifted there is practically nothing she can’t do.”
Black Girls Ignite Africa is an organisation that focuses on empowering encouraging and celebrating the development for young and old women all around Africa. She added that she was inspired to take up modelling by her parents, Mr Dambanyika Mbedzi (late) and Mrs Mavis Mbedzi, both business magnets. Vanessa is the first born in a family of four, comprising three girls and a boy.
The belle said naturally she had a positive attitude, high self-esteem and confidence to perform in front of big crowds.
“I believe that is a vital element tone needs to impress the judges,” said Vanessa.
She also called on other models throughout the country, especially those in Beitbridge, to go out and chase their dreams.
She added that Beitbridge was a very small town where there were very few modelling opportunities.
“I would want to encourage these young ladies not only when I get crowned but now that make use of that talent which is in you.
“The people who get on this world are people who get up and look for the circumstances they want and if they can’t find them, make them,” she said.http://www.herald.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83029:mbedzi-for-miss-africa-usa&catid=43:entertainment&Itemid=135#.