With the hopes and dreams of a nation resting on her poised shoulders, Courtney Jongwe has departed Zimbabwe to represent her country at the 72nd Miss World International Competition in Telangana, India. Running from 7 to 31 May 2025, the pageant will see contestants from across the globe, but for Zimbabwe, all eyes are on the 23-year-old Chemical and Processing Engineering student who carries not only her own ambitions but the spirit of an entire nation.
Speaking just before her departure from Harare International Airport, Jongwe described the moment as humbling and powerful. “It is an incredible honour and deeply humbling to represent Zimbabwe on such a prestigious platform. I carry my nation’s spirit, stories, and hopes with immense pride,” she said, her words resonating with pride and purpose. Jongwe, who previously competed at Miss Earth 2023 in Vietnam, brings with her more than beauty. She will spotlight her mental health initiative, The Sanctuary Project, under Miss World’s “Beauty with a Purpose” programme. Through this work, she aims to expand access to mental health services in Zimbabwe and create safe spaces where open dialogue can thrive. “My message to the world is that Zimbabwe is full of promise, and our voices — especially those of young women — deserve to be heard on global platforms,” she said.
Her departure was marked by national pride, with Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe’s Olympic icon and President of the International Olympic Committee, personally seeing Jongwe off at the airport. The gesture underscored the weight of expectation and the pride Zimbabweans feel in seeing one of their own take centre stage in such a global arena. Patience Lusengo, Director of Miss World Zimbabwe, spoke glowingly of Jongwe’s preparations. “Courtney is a young lady who truly represents the essence of what it means to be Zimbabwean. She is strong, resilient, and bright just like our nation. Her preparations have been intense and heartfelt, from advocacy presentations and gym routines to countless meetings and sponsorship calls. She is going with a mindset of excellence,” Lusengo said.
For Jongwe, every step on this journey is powered by the support and encouragement she has received from her fellow Zimbabweans. “Knowing that I carry the hopes of a nation inspires me to walk with confidence and grace on the world stage. Zimbabweans have been amazing — their encouragement fuels my drive to shine not for myself, but for all of us,” she said.
Balancing academic excellence with social impact, Jongwe is currently pursuing her engineering degree at Manicaland State University, where she has also served as Vice President of the Student Representative Council. Her leadership extends beyond the campus as she champions causes that matter to Zimbabwe’s youth. Her track record on the Miss Earth stage and now at Miss World marks her as a rising figure of empowerment and advocacy.
As Courtney Jongwe steps into the global spotlight in India, she embodies the resilience and aspirations of Zimbabwe’s young generation. Her journey is not just about crowns and titles; it is a powerful statement that Zimbabwe’s voice is vibrant, its spirit unbreakable, and its young women ready to shape the world stage. The nation now watches with bated breath as she competes, not just to win, but to inspire.
