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Zimbabwe crowns its 2019 Mr and Miss Albinism, they are so beautiful [Photos]

by Elizabeth Ofosuah Johnson, 10:09am May 27, 2019,
Photo-Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi

21-year-old fitness trainer Edson Mambinge and 18-year-old model Ayanda Sibanda beat several other contestants to win the 2019 Mr and Miss Albinism Zimbabwe on Friday, May 24.

Zimbabwe crowns its 2019 Mr and Miss Albinism, they are so beautiful [Photos]
Photo-Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi

Organised in a bid to do away with the discrimination that people living with albinism face day in and out, the pageant marked a successful second edition with the introduction of Mr Albinism Zimbabwe.

In a dimly-lit conference room, a group of four albino pageant contestants sit holding certificates and flower bouquets.
Photo- Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi
A group of male contestants in suits wait in line in a dimly-lit room during Zimbabwe's 2019 albinism contest.
Photo-Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi
Albinism Zimbabwe 2019 pageant
Contestants pose for a photo backstage during Mr. and Miss Albinism Zimbabwe 2019 pageant is held on May 25, 2019, in Harare, Zimbabwe. Photo-Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi

In a country where almost 70,000 people live with albinism, it is fascinating to know that many people either still fear albinism or treat people with the condition with disdain while a smaller percentage still believe that their skin could cure diseases such as HIV/AIDS

Albinism Zimbabwe 2019 pageant
Photo-Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi
A line of women with albinism wear purple shirts and jeans as they pose for the camera with their hands on their hips.
Photo-Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi

In a 3-day boot camp, the contestants went through several training programs and were given tasks prior to the finale on May 24 which added up to their marks and saw the new queen and king come out as winners.

Zimbabwe crowns its 2019 Mr and Miss Albinism, they are so beautiful [Photos]
Photo-Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi
Zimbabwe crowns its 2019 Mr and Miss Albinism, they are so beautiful [Photos]
Photo-Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi
Zimbabwe crowns its 2019 Mr and Miss Albinism, they are so beautiful [Photos]
Photo-Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi

Speaking to the press, the 18-year-old Miss Albinism Ayanda Sibanda who won her second crown this year (she was crowned the second princess of Miss Teen Zimbabwe in April) said she had lost several other pageants due to her skin condition confessing that she has been called yellow or white all her life but identifies as a proud black young woman.

Zimbabwe crowns its 2019 Mr and Miss Albinism, they are so beautiful [Photos]
Photo-Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi

Thrilled about the reception the pageant has received this year, the organiser of the event, Ms Mudzimu stated that the event has been a challenge proving difficult to pull off due to lack of sponsorship and interest of potential investors and even the media.

She added that she hoped this year’s event would tickle their interest and push them to invest as much as they invest in the ‘so-called normal pageants’.

Contestants are seen during rehearsals for the Miss Albinism Zimbabwe 2019 at an event in Harare, Friday, May 24, 2019. About 70,000 of Zimbabwe’s est
Photo-Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi
A line of women with albinism wear purple shirts and jeans as they pose for the camera with their hands on their hips.
Photo-Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi
Albinism Zimbabwe 2019 pageant
Photo-Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi
Two albinism pageant contestants hold hands and dance in the middle of a stage as others watch on and clap.
Photo-Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi

As winners, Miss Albinism gets to travel to Botswana to attend a confidence-building and women’s workshop while Mr Albinism will travel to South Africa for a grooming session. The winners also walked away with cash prizes and new phones.

Last Edited by:Victor Ativie Updated: May 9, 2020

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