STAFF WRITER
RENOWNED modeling guru Sipho Ncube Mazibuko is back with a bang as she relaunches Miss Summer Strides.
Mazibuko who has been battling mental illness for years now told The Zambezi Times that she was forced to return to the modeling industry after she realised that it had gone comatose.
“I decided to come back because the modelling industry is now comatose, right now look at Miss Zimbabwe and it’s the same with Miss Tourism. So like someone who has always had a passion for modeling I thought it was high time I bring back to life Miss Summer Strides,” she said.
The once popular and glamorous Miss Summer Strides was mooted in 2003 and later folded in 2007 as a combination of economic hardships and mental challenges took a toll on her.
Mazibuko said they are currently busy casting, with the semi finals having been slated for November 14 and the finals on November 28 both to be held at Lavinia Gardens in Waterford.
She said the modeling contest was open to all models in Zimbabwe aged between 18 and 25.
“For our semi finals we are going to have 25 models and 15 for the finals. The winner will get a contract with South African agent called Heads models where she will be able to build her career.”
Mazibuko further noted that the winner should also be prepared to work with Ingutsheni hospital in th fight mental health.
Mazibuko further said she was also working on bringing back Miss Strides Rural.
One of the most popular models ever to come out of Miss Summer Strides is Lorraine Maphala who went on to win Miss Zimbabwe title.
