BEAUTY with brains is the term used to describe beautiful
and successful women.
The same can be said about former Zimbabwean beauty queens,
as they have used both their beauty and brains to make their lives a success.
Facial and physical beauty fades with age but investments
and business are a legacy to children and generations to come.
Two successful former Zimbabwean beauty queens, Lorraine
Maphala (35) and Brita Masalethulini (in her 40s) spoke to Sunday Life about
their experiences during and after their modelling careers.
Maphala, now married to prominent Bulawayo businessman,
Sonny Phiri, believes she was born to be a model.
“I started modelling in 2002 and my first show was Miss
Bulawayo. The same year I went for Miss Teen Queen, where I was crowned second
princess. Thereafter, I went for Miss Summer Strides in 2003 and was crowned
Miss Summer Strides. Thereafter, I participated in Miss Super Face and Miss
Super Legs. I contested for Miss Malaika the same year and I was also crowned
Miss Malaika Bulawayo but did not make it for the national crown but that was
not the end of the road for me,” she said.
In 2005 Maphala was crowned Miss Bulawayo second princess.
The same year she was ultimately crowned Miss Zimbabwe.
“I represented Zimbabwe at Miss Tourism World in Tanzania
and was crowned ‘Face of the Net’. The following year I went to Miss World in
Poland, where I came third at the Talent competition,” she said.
Maphala is now a well-respected businesswoman who expends
her energy in the cosmetics and beauty industry.
“I started my hair business, Real Hair by Lorraine (RHL)
which eventually gave birth to the hair studio. Raw Beauty by Lorraine is the
new baby I’m currently working on, I formulate and manufacture organic natural
hair care products. I’m also excited by the fact that these products are 100
percent Zimbabwean. I started RHL in 2007 but I opened the hair studio in
2016,” said Maphala.
Maphala, a mother of two, said she was a proud mother and
always made time to be with her family.
“Trying to balance being a mother of two and my work is a
real challenge. I thank God for the support I have at home but sometimes the
‘African man’ in my husband comes out to play and it becomes a challenge. But
as a woman I believe the gift to multi-task comes in very handy and playing
every role with love always helps me. I love being a mum and totally love my
work,” she said.
Masalethulini said she was still active in the modelling
industry, as a consultant.
“I started modelling in 1998 at the age of 19. I am still
involved in the industry on a consultancy basis. I have been in the industry
for two decades and this is my 20th anniversary in the industry,” said
Masalethulini.
She also established a detergent manufacturing business,
which supplies many retail outlets across the country.
“I tried my luck in various businesses which led me to the
manufacturing of detergents. However, the centre of my career right now is
radio as I am a Capitalk radio weekend breakfast host,” she said.
Masalethulini also noted that what kept her going was her
family.
“I am a mother of three daughters and like everyone else I generally go through problems people in
business do and balancing family dynamics and to overcome that I take it a day
at a time and I have set my priorities straight. In everything I do family
comes first and I make sure my family is well taken care of,” Masalethulini
said. Sunday News
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