For the newly crowned Miss Intercontinental Zimbabwe 2026, victory was more than winning a title; it was validation.

My Afrika Magazine reporter, Ngonidzashe Gwatidzo (NG), had a moment with Miss Intercontinental Zimbabwe 2026, Virginia Nyambe (VN), exploring more about her journey.

NG: Congratulations on being crowned Miss Intercontinental Zimbabwe 2026. What was the first thought that crossed your mind when your name was announced?

VN: Thank you so much. The first thought that crossed my mind when my name was announced was omg!!!!! They saw me ??? Also, I can’t say it was only a thought; there were so many thoughts and questions, like, “Is this really happening??? Lowkey, my heart was like I told you so. It was so hard to convince my mind that I could achieve that, but here we are today, crowned and happy!

NG: Every crown comes with a journey. Looking back, what moments or challenges have shaped you into the woman you are today?

VN: I would write an entire book about all the challenges that have shaped me, but I think the most important one for me is to never be on the losing team. I always make sure that whatever I put my mind to, I have to succeed, so having been disappointed before was enough to remind me what needed to be done. Some people may see rejection as a challenge, but I see it as an opportunity to go back to the drawing board and try again. I don’t back down, I evolve.

NG: Beyond the glamour and spotlight, what personal values do you believe have contributed most to your success?

VN: My family, close friends them nursing my emotions. With this journey, it was such a huge rollercoaster of mixed emotions, and that on its own needed me to have a strong support system. I’m such a sensitive person, and I feel so comfortable getting validation from the people close to my heart. I love how they now know what to say and how to calm me down. How they pray with me and really speak greatness upon me. We all need such people in our lives. I’m rich because of my people.

NG: Zimbabwe is rich in culture, talent, and resilience. What aspects of our nation’s identity are you most excited to showcase on the international stage?

VN: If it were up to me, I would showcase everything about Zimbabwe, hahahah, but definitely the fashion. I loved my national costume so much on the day of the competition, and imagine showing something so rich in culture and colorful like that internationally. Zimbabwe is so rich, we have a creative mindset, and I’m just so happy that we are now at a point in life as Zimbabweans that we want to show people what our country is all about. Since we are tenacious, have you heard us sing? Or speak and have you seen our tourism !! I mean, why wouldn’t I show off brand Zimbabwe!

NG: Who has been your greatest source of inspiration throughout your life, and what lessons from them continue to guide you today?

VN: Definitely has to be my mother. Since she has watched me grow, I have also watched her go through all phases of life for my sisters and me to have a better life. She inspires me to never back down or be content with results that don’t satisfy me. I am who I am because of her. I want to have that kind of power and energy always. She taught me how to pray and taught me love. Make something beautiful in your chaos, she would say.

NG: Many young girls look up to beauty queens as role models. What message would you like to share with young Zimbabwean girls who dream of achieving greatness in their own fields?

VN: Dream as much as you can! Never stop dreaming. Never think that your background or your situation can define who you are. I did this competition broke, but God said let me show you how it’s done, my girl, and look at me now. Never seek validation from people. Pray hard for the life you want, ask God to guide you, and show you the way. He knows everything. I am here because of him. Never did I think I was going to be a model, but here I am now trying something new, and I’m doing such a great job at it! Even the sky itself can’t touch you.

NG: If you could use your platform to address one social issue affecting Zimbabwean communities, what would it be and why?

VN: It would be women ‘s health. Things have changed so much, and we live in a world where we women have to show up for ourselves and our families. We have women that bread winners, but can they take care of their families if they are not feeling well? I want to talk about endometriosis and an illness that isn’t talked about often, yet it has so much damage in society. I can make an example of myself, how I had to quit my 9-5 because I could the bare the pain at work anymore. So what it means is I have to find work that makes it easy for me to work. I would want to make a difference in it because so many young girls miss school, and we have so many Virginias not making it to work because they are not feeling okay, and to make it worse, when you tell others what you suffer from, they don’t really get what it is. So we still have a long way to go, and that’s why I’m here to bridge that gap.

NG: Success often comes with sacrifices. What have you learned about balancing ambition, personal growth, and staying true to yourself?

VN: I’ve learned that balance is not about doing everything perfectly; it’s about knowing your priorities and protecting your peace. There have been times I had to say no to things I wanted so I could say yes to what truly mattered. Staying true to myself means remembering who I was before the crown, and making sure that girl is still celebrated and nurtured.

NG: When people meet Virginia Nyambe away from the pageant stage, what is one thing about you that might surprise them?

VN: ⁠I’m very goofy, omg, and I never stop talking! I’m always smiling, too.

NG: As Miss Intercontinental Zimbabwe 2026, what legacy do you hope to leave, and how would you like Zimbabweans to remember your reign?

VN: I want Zimbabweans to remember me as a queen who was accessible, authentic, and unapologetically proud of her roots. I hope to leave a legacy of empowerment, showing that our girls can be leaders, that our culture is beautiful, and that our country is full of greatness. I want them to say, “She wore that crown with humility and purpose.”

NG: If the world could hear one message from Zimbabwe through your voice today, what would that message be?

VN: I would say Zimbabwe is rising. Despite our challenges, we are a people of unbreakable spirit. We create, we innovate, we love, and we endure. The world should watch us not with pity, but with admiration. We are not our struggles; we are our strength. And we are ready to take our rightful place on the global stage.