MISS NUST 2025 SETS SIGHTS ON MISS TOURISM INTERNATIONAL
By Tsenulo Moyo
She lit up the stage at the Miss NUST pageant, dazzled at the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe stage, securing the crown with grace and purpose. Now, Nomqhele Sisa Nkomo, the reigning Miss NUST and Miss Tourism Zimbabwe, has set her sights on the global stage; Miss Tourism International to be held in Malaysia this October.
A queen on a mission, Nomqhele is not only making waves in the pageant world but also using her platform to champion social and environmental causes close to her heart.
“Beyond the pageant, I want to use this platform to grow my work in poetry, cultural exchange, and climate advocacy while also strengthening my personal brand as a model and youth leader,” she said.
Her passion for climate advocacy and sustainable tourism is deeply rooted in her creative background.
“With my foundation in poetry and media, I use my voice and creative platforms to raise awareness about environmental challenges and to encourage young people to take part in protecting our planet,” she added.
Nomqhele envisions her reign as a legacy of impact.
“I want to be a voice for young people at NUST, across Zimbabwe, and beyond. My goal is to lead initiatives that highlight tourism, climate action, and youth empowerment. I want my reign to be remembered not only for the crown but for the awareness and opportunities I helped create.”
She credits her Miss NUST journey for shaping her confidence and leadership.
“It sharpened my public speaking and gave me visibility. It opened doors in modelling and pageantry, and prepared me mentally and emotionally for the bigger stage of Miss Tourism Zimbabwe, and now, Miss Tourism International.”
Her journey has not been without challenges. Balancing academics with pageant preparation and overcoming self-doubt required discipline and resilience.
“I overcame it through strict time management and surrounding myself with supportive people. I learned to turn self-doubt into motivation and focus on growth.”
Nomqhele treats her pageant roles as an extension of her academic journey. “Education is the foundation of everything. I make sure my studies are never neglected. At the same time, I use my pageant roles to practice leadership, communication, and professionalism.”
Her message to fellow students is one of empowerment:
“No dream is too big when paired with hard work and faith. Embrace who you are, use your talents to serve others, and believe in your ability to create positive change.”
To those aspiring to follow in her footsteps, she offers this advice:
“Pageantry is not just about beauty, it’s about purpose. If you’re willing to put in the work, stay true to yourself, and use the platform to make a difference, you can succeed.”
Ms Sibonile Madhodha from the Student Development and Career Services Office at NUST highlighted that pageantry is part of the university’s NUST Got Talent programme, designed to help students explore career paths beyond their degrees.
“Some of them end up forming companies through these programmes. The Education 5.0 policy expects us to help students explore opportunities outside their academic disciplines,” she said.
She added that such initiatives promote campus integration and nurture talent, with the university actively seeking mentors for students involved in these events.
Looking ahead, NUST plans to host a campus-wide arts festival to showcase student talent, inviting artists from Bulawayo and eventually expanding into a national event.
NUST’s support for student talent aligns with Education 5.0’s vision to equip students with practical skills for innovation and value creation.
With her eyes now set on Miss Tourism International, Nomqhele Sisa Nkomo continues to embody the spirit of leadership, creativity, and purpose, proving that beauty with impact knows no borders. We wish Nomqhele the very best in her latest pursuit, and whether she brings home the crown or not, she has already made us extremely proud.
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