Hillary Mandaba Calls on Zimbabweans to Support His Manhunt International People’s Choice Bid

Zimbabwean model Hillary Mandaba is calling on the public to support his campaign for the People’s Choice award ahead of his appearance at Manhunt International 2026. The People’s Choice winner will secure an automatic place in the Top 20 semi-finals, making public engagement an important part of Hillary’s campaign. He will represent Zimbabwe at the global male pageant and model search, which is scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka from September 3 to 9. Hillary will compete against contestants from more than 50 countries as he seeks to make an impression on the international stage. His appeal for public support gives Zimbabweans an opportunity to play a direct role in his journey by engaging with his campaign through the official Manhunt International Facebook and Instagram platforms.
The People’s Choice competition provides contestants with an alternative route into the Top 20 semi-finals, allowing supporters to contribute to their representative’s campaign through eligible engagement on the official Manhunt International social media platforms. For Hillary, securing the award would guarantee his place among the semi-finalists before the main competition progresses further. This makes every interaction from supporters potentially important as the voting period unfolds. His campaign is therefore not only about his performance on the pageant stage but also about mobilising Zimbabweans at home and abroad to rally behind him. The public support could help strengthen his chances while demonstrating the level of interest behind Zimbabwe’s representative.
Hillary was crowned Manhunt Zimbabwe 2026 earlier this year, earning the opportunity to represent the country at one of the world’s established male pageants and model searches. His selection follows several years of involvement in pageantry, modelling, fashion and community-focused initiatives. He views each title he has won as part of an ongoing learning process that has helped him develop professionally and personally. Hillary said his commitment is to make a huge difference, reflecting an ambition that extends beyond competing for titles. His growing experience has given him an opportunity to build a profile that combines modelling with advocacy, environmental awareness and youth development.
The Zimbabwean model has already accumulated several notable achievements during his pageantry journey. He was crowned Mr BUSE in 2023 before claiming the Mister of Zimbabwe 2024 King crown. Hillary later represented Zimbabwe as Mister Tourism World Zimbabwe 2024, adding another international dimension to his experience. He believes each accolade represents more than his ability to perform confidently on stage because the titles have also helped him connect with different audiences. His growing list of achievements provides him with experience that could prove valuable as he prepares to compete against representatives from more than 50 countries in Sri Lanka.
Describing his professional journey, Hillary highlighted his work across modelling, environmental advocacy, fashion, media and community development. “A man of remarkable range, I have built a distinguished presence across the fields of modelling, environmental advocacy, fashion, media, and community development,” he said. He added that his accolades speak to his commitment to excellence, underscoring the importance he places on using his platform to create an impact. His profile reflects an approach to pageantry that goes beyond appearance and stage performance. By combining modelling with advocacy and community-focused work, Hillary aims to present himself as a contestant with a broader purpose.
His achievements outside traditional pageantry have also contributed to the identity he brings to Manhunt International. Hillary is an Enactus Zimbabwe 2023 Multi-Award Winner and received the Ignite Youth Award for Best Pollution Prevention and Recycling. These recognitions highlight his involvement in initiatives connected to environmental sustainability, innovation and youth empowerment. He believes his influence therefore extends beyond fashion and modelling, particularly through his efforts to promote issues that affect communities and younger generations. His environmental work gives another dimension to his international campaign as he prepares to represent Zimbabwe on a global platform.
Environmental sustainability has become an important part of Hillary’s approach to creativity and fashion. He is part of a growing movement that seeks to combine style with greater awareness of the environmental impact of the fashion industry. Hillary has said that his designs are not only intended to look stylish but are also created with purpose, including an emphasis on eco-friendly practices. This approach reflects wider discussions about waste, sustainability and responsible production within fashion. By incorporating environmental advocacy into his modelling and design interests, Hillary hopes to demonstrate that the industry can provide space for creativity while also encouraging more sustainable practices.
Manhunt International, founded in 1993, is regarded as one of the longest-running international male pageants and model searches. The competition provides a platform for male models and contestants to pursue opportunities across modelling, entertainment, business and advocacy. Representing Zimbabwe at the event therefore gives Hillary an opportunity to compete internationally while also increasing his exposure to people working across different areas of the entertainment and fashion industries. The September event in Sri Lanka will bring together contestants from more than 50 countries, creating a highly competitive environment for the participating representatives. Hillary’s previous pageantry experience, advocacy work and modelling background will form part of his overall profile as he seeks to stand out among the international field.
The People’s Choice award adds another important dimension to Hillary’s campaign because it allows ordinary Zimbabweans to participate directly in his journey. Supporters can engage with the relevant content through the official Manhunt International Facebook and Instagram platforms, with eligible engagement contributing to the People’s Choice competition. Unlike the traditional elements of a pageant, this category gives the public an opportunity to influence one aspect of the competition through their online support. For Hillary, a strong response from Zimbabweans could provide the automatic pathway into the Top 20 semi-finals that he is seeking. His appeal is therefore not simply a request for encouragement, but a call for supporters to actively participate in the process.
As September approaches, Hillary Mandaba will be looking to turn his experience, advocacy and modelling credentials into a strong performance at Manhunt International 2026. His journey from Mr BUSE in 2023 to Mister of Zimbabwe 2024 King, Mister Tourism World Zimbabwe 2024 and now Manhunt Zimbabwe 2026 reflects a steady progression through the pageantry industry. His focus on environmental sustainability and youth empowerment also gives his campaign a message that extends beyond competition. Securing the People’s Choice award would guarantee him a place in the Top 20 semi-finals and give him an early advantage in the global contest. With Zimbabweans able to support him through official social media engagement, Hillary is hoping to carry strong national backing with him when he takes the stage in Sri Lanka.



