The reigning Miss Zimbabwe UK Vanessa Hadebe was left heartbroken after being stopped from participating last week because authorities say winners must be based in Zimbabwe.
London-based communications student Vanessa, who watched the finals as a spectator, said: When I won the UK final I was assured that I would take part in the national contest.
We were then advised by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority that I could not take part. Its a shame because I was looking forward to it.
Vanessa shared a hotel with the finalists and befriended the 2008 first princess Happiness Tshuma.
She added: I saw them everyday and I was thinking to myself that I could have been one of them in camp. Its so disappointing. It looked like they were having a blast.
Bulawayo beauty Samantha Tshuma was a popular winner at the February 6 finals held at Harares International Conference Centre. The ZTA moved to change the rules after UK-based Cynthia Muvirimi won the pageant in December 2007.
Muvirimi, a mid-wife, was forced to shuttle between Harare and London to meet her charitable commitments throughout 2008. She missed several state gatherings and her princesses Sibusisiwe Dube and Evril Mhembere had to fill in.
Sugar Chagonda, the ZTAs cooperate communications manager, said: The idea of having a foreign-based contestant was stopped because in an event that she wins, she would have to relocate to Zimbabwe so that she executes her duties.
In most cases, the contestants are not willing to make such a commitment.
Every year, Miss Zimbabwe regional finals are held in Canada, the United States and Britain with winners earning a ticket to the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe finals.
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