Malaika Mushandu
Malaika Mushandu | |
|---|---|
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title | Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe 2026 |
Major competitions |
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Malaika Maidai Mushandu (born 7 June 1993) is a Zimbabwean beauty pageant titleholder and film producer. She was crowned Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe 2026 at the Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2026, earning the right to represent Zimbabwe at the international Miss Cosmo pageant. She produced the film Mirage (2020), directed by Joe Njagu.[1]
Modelling career
Mushandu has said that she grew up admiring local and international models, but did not initially plan to pursue modelling as a career, treating it as a hobby. She has said that her teachers, parents and relatives encouraged her to focus on her studies rather than on modelling.[2]
On 6 November 2011, Mushandu represented Zimbabwe at the Miss World pageant, where she finished in the top fifteen. This made her one of the strongest performing Zimbabwean entrants at Miss World up to that time.[3]
Return to pageantry
In 2026, Mushandu returned to competitive pageantry after a long break. She was named among the Top 30 finalists for the Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2026 pageant.[4]
At the grand finale, held in Harare in the early hours of 7 June 2026, she was crowned Miss Cosmo Zimbabwe 2026.[5][6] As a national titleholder, she was reported to be in line to receive a Honda Fit vehicle and a sponsorship package.[5]
External links
References
- ↑ "Local films win big in Botswana". The Herald. 2026-06-19. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
- ↑ Drumbeat: Why has Malaika Mushandu been ignored?, The Standard, Published: 3 December 2011, Accessed: 20 January 2015
- ↑ The most beautiful Miss Zimbabwes since 1980, Nehanda Radio, Published: 5 September 2012, Accessed: 20 January 2015
- ↑ Top models make Miss Universe Zim 2025 Top 30, The Herald, Published: 2026, Accessed: 7 June 2026
- 1 2 Temba Mliswa steals spotlight from new Miss Universe Zimbabwe with cash-splash stunt, Nehanda Radio, Published: 7 June 2026, Accessed: 7 June 2026
- ↑ Roseanna Hall crowned Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2026 at the pageant's grand finale, Greedy South, Published: 7 June 2026, Accessed: 7 June 2026