(3 Minutes Read)
Zimbabwe is celebrating a landmark achievement after Yolanda Chimbarami was crowned First Runner-Up at the Miss International pageant in Tokyo — the highest placement ever earned by a Zimbabwean contestant at any of the Big Four global beauty pageants. The 26-year-old also secured the Miss International Africa title, affirming her position as the continent’s top performer in this year’s competition.
Her success surpasses the long-standing record set by Angeline Musasiwa at Miss World in 1994 and marks the first time Zimbabwe has finished within the top two of one of the world’s most prestigious pageants. The event hosted eighty contestants worldwide, with Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Angola advancing to the Top Twenty. Ultimately, Chimbarami carried Africa’s hopes into the final round.
Her performance stood out for its clarity, confidence and composed stage presence. Speaking with conviction about her country, she earned the respect of judges and audiences alike. After the results were announced, she dedicated her achievement to the people who shaped her journey and to the young girls inspired by her path. She said the moment belonged to every Zimbabwean who supported her dream and demonstrated the potential and promise found back home. Her message centred on hope, opportunity, and belief in one’s own voice.
Miss Zimbabwe Trust Director Patience Lusengo praised Chimbarami as a reflection of Zimbabwe’s identity, ambition and discipline. She described her as a young woman of vision whose values and determination elevated the national flag to new heights, calling on the nation to celebrate her success with pride.
Chimbarami’s rise reflects a broader story of talent grounded in education, service and creative expression. She is a model, actress and shoe designer pursuing a Master’s degree in Economics and Finance. Beyond the spotlight, she co-founded Help a Child Save a Nation, an organisation supporting tuition needs for eleven rural schools in Mashonaland Central. Her advocacy for education has taken her to international platforms, including a United Nations panel in Canada.
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Her creative career spans roles in international films now streaming on Amazon, as well as voice work for two characters in Disney’s animated series Supa Strikas. She has been listed among the Top Three Most Influential Youth in Canada and previously represented Zimbabwe at Miss Intercontinental, where she placed in the Top Twenty.
Chimbarami’s achievement in Tokyo has ignited national pride and inspired young Zimbabweans who see their own possibilities reflected in her success. It marks a defining moment for the country on the global stage and ushers in a new era for Zimbabwean representation in international pageantry.
