Simbarashe Gwawawa Drives Women’s Empowerment Through Miss Fabulous Zimbabwe Pageant

Simbarashe Gwawawa, the visionary director behind the Miss Fabulous Zimbabwe Pageant, is on a mission to transform the modelling industry in Zimbabwe. With a strong emphasis on coaching and mentorship, Gwawawa is using pageantry as a platform to promote the beauty, culture, and values of Zimbabwean women while building an empowered generation of models who are skilled, confident, and culturally grounded.

At the heart of his mission is the belief that modelling can be a powerful tool for social change and national pride. Through Miss Fabulous Zimbabwe, Gwawawa is building a united voice to celebrate and elevate Zimbabwean women across all provinces.

Miss Fabulous Zimbabwe 2025 is scheduled to take place in Bulawayo from October 26 to November 1. Ahead of the main event, Gwawawa has announced a series of nationwide workshops and fashion challenge competitions designed to sharpen the skills of aspiring models while showcasing local talent. He explained that these events are funded by Miss Fabulous Zimbabwe in partnership with the private sector, civil society organisations, individuals, and fashion industry experts. The activities will also serve as key networking opportunities for models, designers, and business partners, while promoting Zimbabwean fashion brands.

Gwawawa’s vision for Miss Fabulous Zimbabwe extends far beyond glamour. The initiative promotes pan-African ideals by incorporating themes that highlight Zimbabwe’s diverse cultural heritage through traditional attire, performances, and storytelling. He believes that support for charitable causes is an essential part of fostering national pride by celebrating the achievements of Zimbabwean women locally and internationally.

Through his modelling coaching programmes, Gwawawa equips models with critical life and industry skills, including etiquette, grooming, effective communication, and personal branding. Participants are taught how to walk and pose with confidence and how to engage meaningfully with clients, designers, and fellow professionals. Grooming lessons include skin and hair care, makeup techniques, and other essentials needed for runway shows and photoshoots.

Gwawawa is also deeply committed to holistic empowerment. Models who participate in Miss Fabulous Zimbabwe are offered additional training in various fields such as driving, hotel and catering, cosmetology, hairdressing, and dressmaking. These trainings are held across the country as part of a broader initiative to support Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 through active model participation. He has extended an open invitation to every model in Zimbabwe to be part of this transformation.

A standout initiative under the Miss Fabulous banner is the Miss Fabulous Zimbabwe 2025 National Fabric Giveaway, which supports the local fashion industry through collaborative opportunities and idea-sharing. The campaign has already secured support from government and corporate entities. It has also attracted top creatives like Sibonginkosi Siqhoza Muteyiwa, who sponsored a unique Zimbabwean-made outfit for the reigning Miss Fabulous Zimbabwe Culture Queen and Miss Elite Global Zimbabwe, Christine Ngoshi. Ngoshi proudly represented Zimbabwe at the Miss Elite Global 2025 competition in Goa, India.

Fashion designer Kudzayi Bonzo has partnered with the campaign, contributing her expertise in fashion design, garment construction, branding, and marketing to further capacitate Zimbabwean creatives. Her work continues to drive the growth and professionalisation of the country’s fashion sector.

Simbarashe Gwawawa’s efforts are redefining pageantry in Zimbabwe, not just as a celebration of beauty, but as a movement for empowerment, cultural pride, and economic opportunity. Through his initiatives, Zimbabwean women are being given a platform to shine—locally and on the global stage.