From beauty queen to legal eagle

Miss Eastern Cape, Zimi Mabunzi, took to the stage at Hemingways Mall at the weekend, where she was officially introduced to fans, vowing to be a role model for other young women wanting to enter the workplace.

Mabunzi was recently crowned the second Miss Eastern Cape – a title which has reignited her passion to study law, thanks to a bursary by major developers Billion Group, covering her tuition, books and personal expenses.

Billion Group has also given Mabunzi a brand new set of wheels in the form of a VW Up, to get her from her King William’s Town home to Port Elizabeth where she is taking up law at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) this year.

Mabunzi said she was prioritising her studies, putting love on hold. It is a move she hopes will inspire and empower other young women. Instead of heading out on a romantic date this Valentine’s weekend, the 21-year-old King William’s Town resident was finalising her arrangements for her law studies. She also spent time with fans at Hemingways Mall along with fellow pageant finalists on Saturday.

“There’s so much I want to do once I graduate. I definitely want to start working in my field but I eventually want to go the entrepreneurial route and be an independent businesswoman,” said Mabunzi.

“I’m also trying to establish my own NGO at the moment. It’s going to be called More than Beautiful and it is aimed at helping and inspiring other young women.”

The busy beauty ambassador said she did not have a boyfriend.

“I’m definitely putting love on hold. I’m all about focussing on my studies at the moment,” she smiled.

Mabunzi said she was eager to resume her studies after being forced to drop out due to financial reasons after her first year at the University of Cape Town in 2014.

According to pageant founder Zikhona Ngxata, Mabunzi was the right woman for the demanding but rewarding job.

“We were looking for a young woman who could be an ambassador, a leader and a philanthropist. Someone who will uplift our community and help address the social ills affecting our province.”