IF ever there was need for a reminder that Zimbabwe is a nation at ease with its remarkable racial diversity, Brooke Bruk-Jackson, a white girl from Harare’s luxurious northern suburbs, won the coveted Miss Universe Zimbabwe title a week ago.
JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA
Gorgeous Brooke will now represent this country at the Miss Universe for El Salvador in Central America in two months.
The 21-year-old beautician – who is related to former Zimbabwe national team cricketer Glen Bruk-Jackson – was crowned winner at the glamorous ceremony at Harare Hippodrome auditorium.
Attending the all-girls’ Chisipite Senior School in Harare, the stunning Brooke was also sporty, just like Glen, who played two Test and one One-Day International matches for Zimbabwe in the early ’90s.
Expectations are high that Brooke could break the jinx that has seemingly hampered Zimbabwe on international runaways where the country’s models only make the top-four and nothing better.
But will Bruk-Jackson bring the world crown to Zimbabwe?
Maybe or maybe not, but the one good thing is that there has been great support back home where beauty pageants were dying a slow death.
To boost her confidence ahead of the Miss Universe World, Jackson won a US$10 000 cash prize from Style by Minnie, a trip to Victoria Falls courtesy of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry ministry, one-year contract with clothing company Hilz Couture, a spa treatment from Essentials by Tanya, two-year accommodation from West Properties, beauty products from Langa Cosmetics, air ticket to and from Central America courtesy of Traverze, photoshoot contract by Optimas Photography and latest Apple products courtesy of iHelp Company.
Jackson will also be brand ambassador for several companies that sponsored the pageant.
First princess accolade went to Chegutu-based model and former Miss University of Zambia first runner-up Nokutenda Marumbwa was picked as first princess while the second princess was Amanda Ziyambi Mpofu.
Bruk-Jackson, a newcomer on the ramp, expressed shock and disbelief in an interview with The NewsHawks.
“I have been modelling a few years back in Cape Town and have been travelling around the world, but this is my first pageant,” she enthused.
“It came as a surprise and, like I said, I need time to absorb this. I work at a local beauty spa as a therapist.”
