Miss Universe 2024 Preliminaries: Zimbabwe’s Sakhile Dube Shines in Mexico City
Tonight, the 73rd Miss Universe pageant will hold its highly anticipated preliminaries at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, with 130 contestants from around the globe vying for a spot in the grand finale on Sunday. The show promises a spectacle of elegance, beauty, and cultural diversity, as models undergo various stages, including personalized interviews, national costume displays, evening dress parades, and swimsuit showcases.
Zimbabwe’s representative, Sakhile Dube, is determined to make a strong impression. The model and aspiring beauty queen, who arrived in Mexico two weeks ago, has been actively participating in boot camps and cultural explorations, familiarizing herself with Mexico’s rich heritage, including visits to Merida, Guadalajara, and the pyramids of Teotihuacan. Sakhile, full of optimism, shared her excitement about competing on such a grand stage. “It is a dream come true to participate in Miss Universe, and my greatest desire is to bring the crown home,” she stated in an interview.
A highlight of her participation is the national costume she will showcase, designed by local Zimbabwean designer Jasper Mandizera of Ivhu Tribe. Known for creating award-winning pieces, Mandizera’s costume for Sakhile is expected to stand out with its unique story of Zimbabwe. “It is a story of Zimbabwe in a dress,” Sakhile commented eagerly, anticipating its impact on the audience.
Sakhile’s journey has been supported by a dedicated delegation of Miss Universe Zimbabwe representatives, including Mrs. Miniyathabo Chiwenga, the board chairperson, and national director Tendai Hunda. The group has been in Mexico to cheer on the young beauty queen, and they have high hopes for her success. Hunda expressed confidence in Sakhile’s abilities, highlighting her impressive performance during the boot camp sessions, which have been widely shared on social media as part of the pageant’s “hot picks.”
As the competition intensifies, the Miss Universe preliminaries will narrow down the contestants to 25, and then to the final 12 on Saturday. The grand finale, set for Sunday, will see one of the finalists crowned as the next Miss Universe. The event will be hosted by television personality Mario Lopez, with commentary from former Miss Universe winners Catriona Gray and Andrea Meza, among others. Zimbabweans, along with other fans around the world, will eagerly await to see if Sakhile Dube can secure a place in the top ranks.
With her confidence, determination, and strong backing, Sakhile is poised to make a lasting impact on the Miss Universe stage, and Zimbabweans are hoping she brings the crown home, marking a historic achievement for the nation.
