In her first International pageant appearance, Zimbabwean model Nomatter Shamuyarira was crowned the Universal Queen Africa 2022 at the pageantry held in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

The competition had contestants from 15 African countries including the host nation Nigeria, Angola, Tunisia, Egypt, Cameroon, South Africa and Uganda, with Botswana’s representative as the first runner-up, Ghana and Gambia representatives as second and third runners-up respectively. 

As part of her winning package, the Queen was awarded a cash prize of $5000, a trip to any African nation of her choice, as well as an endorsement deal as a brand ambassador with companies in Nigeria.

Shamuyarira who works with a top-modelling agency in Zimbabwe revealed that winning the Universal Queen Africa 2022 is a milestone in her modelling career.

She began her professional modelling career in 2017, as she was inspired by her aunt and former Miss Zimbabwe, Angeline Musasiwa and within the five years of her career, Shamuyarira has received myriads of accolades in pageantry and commercial modelling.

Asides modelling, Shamuyarira is a public health researcher with the Biomedical Research and Training Institute of Zimbabwe and a director of a local-based, youth-led and non-governmental organisation focusing on mental health literacy.

The next edition of the pageantry will be hosted in Zimbabwe next year.