Westerhof’s daughter shines in United States

Teenage beauty and Miss Zim Schools first princess Aaaliyah Westerhof well represented the country with a sterling performance at the Miss Teen Continents  pageant held in Atlanta ,Georgia in the United states last week.

The 16-year-old Westerhof made it into the top five finalists and Patience Muzanenhamo-Lusengo the event organiser said that the project was a way of trying to uplift and assist the Zimbabwean community in America.

“The Miss Zimbabwe USA pageant was organised with a purpose to  evoke and crown a young Zimbabwean woman possessing beauty, intelligence, purpose and one that can support, uplift and assist the Zimbabwean community in America”, said Lusengo

Aaliyah is daughter to former Zimbabwe national  soccer team coach Clemens and supermodel-turned-HIV activist Tendai Westerhof.

She  represented Zimbabwe at the contest after she was crowned second princess in June this year during the Miss Zim Schools contest some months ago.

In an interview with Zim Morning Post, Zinzile Mantiba the founder of Simudziriranayi Community Organization said that the trip was life changing for Aaliyah.

“The trip was a revelation to Aaliyah as she experienced what happens in America in the modelling industry and also what is expected in the international market for modelling,” said Mantiziba

 “As organisers of Miss Zimbabwe School the trip was a revelation to us in the sense that we learnt a lot on how the pageant runs in America”

“Since coming out in the top three of Miss Zim Schools, modelling agencies are ready to sign her for commercial adverts, but she has to balance (that) with her school work as she will

sit for her ‘O’ Level exams this year,”added Mantiziba

Aaliyah’s wardrobe was sponsored by Brands for Less from Borrowdale.

The upmarket boutique is owned by businesswoman and HIV/Aids activist Edith Maziofa-Tapfuma.

It has previously dressed socialites like high flying Pokelo Nare and Michelle Kawome.

The organisers, Simudziranayi Community Organization, was established in 2012 and works with the girl child and the less privileged in society.