Beauty queen thanks President

New Zimbabwe.com-Entertainment Reporter.

NEWLY-crowned Miss Tourism Zimbabwe 2010, the vivacious Samantha Tshuma (21), has celebrated winning the crown by thanking President Mugabe, the Government, her fans and the competitors she took on, on the way to the crown.

In a message posted to friends on the social networking site, Facebook, Samantha said she owed her win to "all you Zimbabweans", adding: "I would like to extend my love and thanks to my family, friends and our President R. G. Mugabe and all the Government officials. Ngiyabonga."

Samantha also thanked the 25 models who took to the ramp with her on Saturday night saying, "the journey was not a free way".

"A lot of hard work was involved," she added.

"I would like to thank all the models for the stunning performances and the kindness we had in the camp," said the Bulawayo-born beauty, who lives with her family in the plush neighbourhood of Malindela.

Samantha, who was the clear crowd favourite on the night, described her popular win as "a new step, a new expedition" and sent out an appeal to Zimbabweans "to help me in whatever way to uplift the lives of many Zimbabweans".

Resplendent in gold and white evening wear with a traditional broom in hand and on her shoulder, Samantha was the toast of the evening and endeared herself to the crowd as she gracefully went through her steps, sporting a winning smile.

She sailed through the question and answer segment with ease, and was on a roll as her answers were drowned by wild cheers from the crowd.

It was clear from the beginning that she was destined for victory the moment she stepped on the ramp.

The crowd simply loved her style and the loudest cheers she received from the crowd whenever she went on stage sealed the fate for the remaining participants who took part in the grand finale.

When the judges announced her as the winner there was a rapturuous applause from the 7 000 or so audience who packed the auditorium.

Samantha took over the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe mantle from Vanessa Sibanda, with whom she bears a striking resemblance.