Shalom Makuve Crowned Miss Gweru 2026

By Delicious Mathuthu and Dumisani Ndlovu

Gweru — Eighteen-year-old Shalom Makuve from Mkoba 10 has been crowned Miss Gweru 2026 after competing against 11 other contestants in a pageant held at the Village Lodge in Gweru recently.

Themed “I Love My Gweru," the competition featured four categories, which included avant-garde fashion designs created by contestants from recycled materials, a talent segment, swimwear and evening ball gowns.

Makuve, an A-Level student at Fletcher High School and a member of the Midlands Children’s Centre, also took the Miss People’s Choice title through online votes.

First Princess went to 22 year-old Mercy Makusha of Senga KMP and a third year law student at the Midlands State University, while Memory Kariwo (23), a receptionist from Mkoba, was crowned Second Princess.

Miss Gweru 2026 Shalom Makuve (centre), First Princess Mercy Makusha (left) and Second Princess, Memory Kariwo (right).

Completing the top six finalists were Charlize Jose Morgan, Sharon Chimalizeni and LeeAnne Mutikane.

Special awards went to Philosophy Zanga, (18) also of Mkoba, for Best Avant-Garde with an eco-friendly costume made from soft-drink plastic bottles; Sharon Chimalizeni (18) of Mtapa, for Miss Personality; Celine Sibanda (19) of Mkoba, for the Talent Segment and LeeAnne Mutikane (18) of Mkoba, for Miss Super Model.

Adjudicating were Coussie Anashe, one Ms Kumbie, Hazvinei Sakarombe, a Ms L. Chambers, Prisca Chard, and guest adjudicator Pokello Nare.

The Guest of Honour was the Mayor of Gweru, His Worship, Councilor Martin Chivhoko and the Mayoress.

Miss Gweru 2026 winners posing for photos.

Guest judge, Nare, is an award-winning Zimbabwean entrepreneur, fashion icon, social media personality, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pink Bottoms Pvt Ltd, creator of Pokello Méthode Cap Classique, Pokello Nail Lacquer and Priority One Enterprises .

For entertainment during the event, guest artist for the event, Nyasha David, performed alongside Rigiyaan, Moto Family, Mr Sean and Royal Kengs, while Little Miss Midlands Naume Mnangagwa made a guest model appearance.

Miss Gweru 2926, Makuve, received a 43-inch smart television from Wack Drive Properties, a beauty skin treatment from Skin By Lee, Avon beauty products courtesy of Shauline and two pairs of exclusive designer shoes from guest adjudicator, Pokello Nare.

Makusha and Kariwo each received driving licence vouchers from Mid-Drive Driving School among other prizes.