As anticipation builds toward the Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2026 grand finale, one contestant is capturing attention not only for her elegance and experience, but for the powerful message behind her journey.

Karoi-born finalist Wadzanayi Angelline Hofah is proving that ambition does not come with an expiry date. Nearly two decades after first stepping onto a national pageant stage, the hospitality professional, development practitioner and arts advocate has returned with renewed purpose, determined to compete for the crown and represent Zimbabwe on the global stage.

Named among the Top 30 finalists for Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2026, Hofah’s story is one of resilience, reinvention and unwavering national pride. Turning 40 this July, she is unapologetically embracing a platform often dominated by younger contestants, while challenging outdated perceptions around age and beauty.

“I may be turning 40, but I fully intend to give the younger contestants a run for their money,” she said. “Women do not expire with age, if anything, we become more powerful, purposeful and fearless.”

Representing Karoi, the farming and mining town where she was born, Hofah brings with her a diverse professional background spanning hospitality, tourism, education, arts and humanitarian work. A graduate in International Relations, Politics and Diplomacy, she has worked internationally as an International Cruise Consultant and previously served as a Gallery Director aboard luxury cruise ships, combining her passion for culture, travel and the arts.

Her commitment to advocacy began early. At just 18, she worked with the Jesuit AIDS Project as a Youth Programme Facilitator, focusing on HIV/AIDS awareness and youth empowerment. She later contributed to agriculture and food security programmes through the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), while also using theatre and film for social impact through Patsime Edutainment Trust.

The arts have remained central to her journey. During her teenage years, she worked part-time with the Harare International Festival of the Arts, an experience that sparked a lifelong passion for storytelling and performance.

Her return to pageantry is also deeply personal. In 2010, Hofah temporarily lost the use of her legs due to Rheumatoid Arthritis and spent three months in a wheelchair, an experience she says transformed her outlook on life.

Now a widow, she has chosen to use her platform to advocate for Diabetes and Hepatitis B awareness after losing loved ones to both illnesses. For her, Miss Universe Zimbabwe represents more than beauty or glamour; it is an opportunity to inspire, serve and leave a meaningful legacy.

“I believe in Zimbabwe. I believe in our people. I believe in our stories,” she shared. “Miss Universe Zimbabwe is an opportunity to showcase not only beauty, but intelligence, resilience, compassion and national pride.”

This year’s competition is also set to receive an international spotlight, with Zozibini Tunzi confirmed as host of the grand finale on 6 June. The South African model, actress and former Miss Universe expressed excitement ahead of her first visit to Zimbabwe.

“Mhoroi, Zimbabwe! I’m so excited to share that I will be hosting Miss Universe Zimbabwe Grand Finale on the 6th of June,” Tunzi wrote. “It’s my first time visiting the country and I couldn’t be happier to do it on stage with impeccable young women.”

As the road to the crown intensifies, Hofah’s journey is already resonating with many across Zimbabwe and beyond. In a pageant world often defined by conventional expectations, she stands as a reminder that purpose, courage and lived experience can be just as powerful as youth, and that sometimes, the boldest comebacks arrive later in life.