Wackdrive Group Presents Miss Gweru 2026 With US$500 Prize

...  as the Crown Brings Hope, Confidence to Orphaned Teen

Gweru — Miss Gweru 2026, Shalom Makuve, an 18-year-old orphan raised at the Midlands Children Hope Centre in Mkoba 10, has received a 43-inch Hisense Smart TV worth about US$500 from Wackdrive Group as part of her winning prize.

The presentation marked the fulfilment of Wackdrive’s sponsorship commitment to the newly crowned queen, who beat 11 other contestants to win the Miss Gweru title at the Village Lodge in Gweru.

Shalom Makuve (seated) was crowned Miss Gweru 2026 at the Village Lodge.

Makuve, an A-Level student at Fletcher High School, was presented with the television in the presence of fellow pageants, Wackdrive Group staff and Avon regional manager, who also handed her a gift bag of beauty products.

Miss Gweru Founder and Director, Mavis Koslek, said the handover followed the pageant’s usual arrangement of allowing major sponsors to retain prizes before presenting them directly to the winner.

“Today we are accepting the sponsorship that we received from Wackdrive Group. And today is the day they said they will meet the prize for the girl,” Koslek said.

She said through the company's support, Kumbirai Mapingire, Wackdrive’s head of legal affairs and a member of the judging panel, witnessed the contestants’ transformation from the preliminary judging, training and through to the final event.

Koslek, who has been running pageants for the past 17 consecutive years, said organising such events remained challenging but Miss Gweru had grown into one of the city’s leading entertainment events.

“It’s not easy to run a pageant. I have been running pageants for the last 17 years. It has not been easy, each year has its own challenges, each year has different people that come in,” she said.

Miss Gweru Founder and Director, Mavis Koslek.

She also thanked sponsors including Mahogany and The Village Lodge, among others, saying the pageant remained open to partnerships with organisations and individuals willing to support the contestants in good faith.

“The more people we are the bigger we become, because these girls don’t end here,” Koslek said.

Contestants who did not win could still progress to other pageants provided the winners are not yet ready to, adding that the queen and her princesses are expected to work together during their reign.

Koslek said Makuve’s young age presented an opportunity for her to grow while serving as Miss Gweru.

“She is very young and has a lot to learn and she will grow within that space,” she said, adding that the queen’s responsibilities extended beyond the crown to supporting other contestants and contributing to community initiatives.

Wackdrive Group Projects Coordinator, Pamela Shumba, said the company was pleased to partner Miss Gweru for the first time and pledged deeper involvement next year.

“This is our first time partnering with Miss Gweru. We are happy for everyone who is here. We want to say congratulations to Miss Gweru and the first and second Princesses,” Shumba said.

Wackdrive Group Projects Manager, Pamela Shumba (third from right) speaking during the prize handover.

She said the sponsorship formed part of Wackdrive’s corporate social responsibility programme, with the company seeking to use the partnership to empower young women.

“It’s not just about beauty but also about uplifting the girl child out there, giving them confidence and making sure that wherever they go they get enough exposure, they leave a mark in whatever they do,” she said.

Makuve, who also won the Miss People’s Choice title through online voting, thanked the sponsors, organisers, mentors and supporters who helped her throughout the competition.

“The crown is not only mine. It belongs to everyone, to the young girls who dare to dream. It also belongs to the men who know that it is okay not to be okay,” she said.

Makuve said she intended to use her platform to support disadvantaged children and girls in Gweru, particularly through donations to schools in high density areas and charitable organisations.

Her plans also include visiting Fletcher High School, Chaplin High School outside of high density suburbs, among others, to donate sanitary pads and clothes, while also supporting orphanages and such non-governmental organisations with food and clothing.

“I was brought up by the Midlands Children’s Hope Centre, and I believe that charity starts at home,” Makuve said.

She encouraged aspiring models to pursue their dreams with confidence and take advantage of opportunities provided by such activities as modelling.

Her journey has also inspired staff at the Midlands Children Hope Centre, where Matron, Barbra Zunga, said Makuve entered the competition largely on her own initiative.

“We were very happy when she won, we thanked God. She decided to participate in the pageant alone, she came alone but next time we will support our kids and walk with them,” Zunga said.

Zunga said Makuve’s success demonstrated that growing up in an orphanage should not prevent children from pursuing their talents and ambitions.

“Staying in an orphanage does not mean the end of your life. Be patient and listen to your guardians in the home and you will succeed,” she said.

Shalom Makuve and her mother, Matron Barbara Zunga.

She also urged parents and guardians not to suppress children’s talents because of negative perceptions surrounding modelling or because a child was not academically inclined.

“Others might not be good in school but have talents and may find something else to do,” Zunga said.

Makuve was crowned after competing in avant-garde fashion, talent, swimwear and evening ball gown categories under the theme “I Love My Gweru.”

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

The top six finalists also included Charlize Jose Morgan, Sharon Chimalizeni and LeeAnne Mutikane.

Special awards went to Philosophy Zanga, 18, of Mkoba, for Best Avant-Garde; Chimalizeni, 18, of Mtapa, for Miss Personality; Celine Sibanda, 19, of Mkoba, for the Talent Segment; and Mutikane, 18, of Mkoba, for Miss Super Model.

The judging panel included Coussie Anashe, Kumbirai Mapingire, Hazvinei Sakarombe, one L. Chambers, Prisca Chard and guest adjudicator Pokello Nare.

The event was attended by Gweru Mayor Councillor Martin Chivhoko and the Mayoress, while entertainment was provided by Nyasha David, Rigiyaan, Moto Family, Mr Sean and Royal Kengs. Little Miss Midlands Naume Mnangagwa also made a guest model appearance.