The Miss Grand Zimbabwe pageant is entering a new chapter under the leadership of a powerful mother-daughter duo: Ntombi Gumede and Tumi Jiane. Appointed as the official National Directors, they are bringing over a decade of experience in pageantry, from grooming queens to representing Zimbabwe on global platforms. Their goal is to reshape the brand by focusing not only on beauty but also on empowerment, purpose, and national pride. They are taking the reins of a franchise with a history of controversy, but their appointment signals a fresh start aimed at creating a platform that nurtures and inspires young women.
The last franchise holder for Miss Grand Zimbabwe was Culvin Mavunga. The article states that he purchased the license in 2016.
Ntombi Gumede is a prominent figure in the pageant world, with a background that includes being the founder of Miss Teen Universe South Africa. This organization, which operates as a “girl-child empowerment programme,” provides young women with opportunities for personal growth, community development, and skill-building. Gumede herself is a former beauty queen, holding titles such as Mrs. Tourism Globe 2017 and Mrs. Tourism Africa 2016. She has also been recognized as a “Best National Director” for the Miss Tourism International pageant.
Tumi Jiane, Ntombi’s daughter, has been actively involved in the pageant industry alongside her mother for over a decade. Her career has seen her involved in various capacities, including competing, mentoring, and now taking on a leadership role. One of the search results suggests that a Tumi Jiane was a contestant for Miss Teen Mundial (World) South Africa, using the platform to advocate for youth development. While the provided information does not detail a specific timeline of their joint career, it’s clear their partnership is a long-standing one, built on shared experience and a common vision for empowering young women.
The Miss Grand Zimbabwe franchise has faced its share of scandals prior to Gumede and Jiane’s involvement. The partnership with Miss Grand International was previously terminated following “two consecutive years of scandal” in 2013 and 2014. These issues included accusations of organizers unilaterally dropping contestants and even a former director nominating herself to represent the country. This history highlights the challenges the new directors face, but also underscores their opportunity to rebuild the brand’s reputation and restore public trust. It is important to note that these past scandals are not attributed to Ntombi Gumede or Tumi Jiane, who are new to the directorship.
