Bulawayo Celebrates as Sakhile Dube is Crowned Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2024

The royal city of Bulawayo celebrated this weekend as one of their own, Sakhile Dube, was crowned Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2024 on the 18th of May at Harare’s Hippodrome.

The newly crowned Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2024, Sakhile Dube, is now a few steps away from being called a Grandslam local pageant queen, having previously won titles that contribute to this prestigious status.

The Miss Universe Zimbabwe ceremony was hosted under the theme ‘Meta Gala,’ with guest judges including Kelvin Zhou ‘The Wedding Planner,’ former Miss Malaika Brita Maselethulini, former Miss South Africa Ndavi Nokeri, international model Hilda Mabu, Taku Mhlanga, and the surprising guest judge, former First Lady Hon. Dr. Grace Mugabe. The judges had the challenging task of selecting the Miss Universe Zimbabwe Queen based on criteria covering personality, intelligence, talent, character, and charitable involvement.

The co-directors of the ceremony were international radio and television presenters Ruvheneko and Samantha Misred. Part of their costumes during the ceremony were by the Zarguesia brand. Ruvheneko wore a sweeping floor-length corset mermaid gown featuring rhinestone embellishments and structured asymmetrical loop detail. Misred dazzled in a sheer corset off-shoulder gown featuring an asymmetrical draped skirt and high slit.

During the crowning ceremony, the newly crowned queen, Sakhile Dube, was dazzling in a long-sleeved sheer turquoise sweeping floor-length mermaid gown featuring an illusion bodice with asymmetrical draping detail and crystal embellishments, designed by Zarguesia, an international fashion brand owned by Ishmael Tsakatsa. The national costume, also known as the traditional costume, was constructed and designed by the award-winning fashion brand A Tribe Called Zim.

Sakhile Sibusiso Dube is set to represent Zimbabwe at Miss Universe 2024, which will be hosted in Mexico later this year. She will be competing for the title with over a hundred queens from across the globe.

The 27-year-old model’s career started on a high note; at the age of 21, Sakhile won the title of Face of Zimbabwe Fashion Week 2018. In 2021, she was crowned Miss Tourism Zimbabwe and founded the Zibusiso Foundation. The following year, she won Miss Earth Zimbabwe 2022, where she made it to the Top 8 at the main event, Miss Earth 2022. Last year, she was crowned Miss Supranational Zimbabwe 2023, represented the country in Poland, and was crowned Miss Supranational Africa, also winning the Supra Top Model crown.

Currently, Sakhile Dube is studying fashion design and style in Milan, Italy, at the Milan School of Fashion.