Buhlebenkosi Nkomo
Bulawayo — At just 22, Nobesuthu Vanessa, popularly known as Nessanobz, is redefining what it means to be beautiful and powerful.
The multi-award-winning model and pageantry coach is the visionary behind the Face of Bulawayo pageant, a bold new platform merging beauty with purpose.
“Our vision was to challenge the perception that pageantry is solely about beauty. We wanted to showcase its potential as a tool for community impact,” said Nessanobz.
The inaugural Face of Bulawayo event, held on October 12 at Bulawayo Theatre, drew a vibrant crowd and performances from Butholezwe, Umfanomsotho, Msizkay, Lynden, and others — all united under the theme “Taking a Stride Against Breast Cancer.”
Beyond crowns and cameras, the event placed breast cancer awareness at its heart. Survivors took the stage to share powerful personal stories, breaking silence around a disease often hidden by stigma.
“The models were more than just faces on a runway,” said Nessanobz. “They showed courage and compassion, proving that beauty can be a force for awareness and education.”
Despite early hurdles, limited sponsorship and public hesitation to discuss cancer, the event exceeded expectations, marking a new era in Bulawayo’s creative and social activism scene.
The winners will reign for a full year, participating in advocacy and educational programs supported by an academy offering grooming and personal development training.
“We want the younger generation to engage with social issues, especially those we barely talk about — like breast cancer,” she said.
With a strong debut and overwhelming community support, Nessanobz says the Face of Bulawayo will return in October 2026, promising to be “bigger, better, and even more impactful.”
