Zim Native Qualify For Miss Universe Australia

Perth-based Vimbayi Hakutangwi was this week selected as one of six finalists who will represent Western Australia (WA) in Miss Universe Australia 2023 later this year.

The Miss Universe Australia 2023 will be the 19th edition of the Miss Universe Australia pageant, to be held in Melbourne on September 1.

Monique Riley of New South Wales will crown her successor at the end of the event. The winner will represent Australia at the Miss Universe 2023 competition, set to take place in El Salvador towards the end of the year.

Hakutangwi is among the Six WA women, who are one step closer to the Miss Universe crown after being selected as State finalists at the Miss Universe Australia: Miss West Coast final alongside Mary Lopez, Somaya O’Donnell, Brooklyn Metropolis, Natasha Huisman and Khloe Hicks.

At the state finale, Brooklyn Metropolis was crowned Miss West Coast 2023 by her predecessor Briana Demaio.

However Hakutangwi got her fair share of the attention not only because of her stunning looks but also because of her personality.

The 19-year-old outspoken beauty queen has been in the limelight recently after spearheading a campaign which forced the Australian Department of Defence to relook its uniform policy to include culturally diverse hairstyles after a row over her braids.

Hakutangwi joined the navy gap year program and was posted to His Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Stirling to work with clearance divers following a tour around Australia.

However her dream job was marred by comments she allegedly received about her braids at work.

Hakutangwi encouraged the Department of Defence in Australia to rethink its personal appearance policy after she penned an appeal over her braids, which are an important connection to her Zimbabwean culture.

Her appeal received extensive media coverage in the Australian mainstream media, forcing the Australian Department of Defence to announce that it will relook its uniform policy.

New Zimbabwe