By Felix Mwatutsa

MARONDERA-based young model Hazel Hondo intends to launch scholarship and mentorship programmes to make a positive impact on the lives of young orphans who want to pursue higher education.

Hondo has already made a name for herself in the pageant industry. Currently, she holds the title of Miss Valentine Redcliff First Runner-up (2025). Her impressive resume also includes being crowned Miss Gem Africa Zimbabwe 2024, as well as several accolades at the Miss Penzi pageant.

Additionally, she was named the second runner-up at the Miss Kwekwe pageant in 2023.

In an interview with Chaminuka, Hondo shared her vision, emphasising her desire to leverage on her influence to positively impact the lives of orphans, having witnessed firsthand the daunting challenges these young individuals face in life.

“I plan to launch a scholarship programme that provides financial support to orphans who want to pursue higher education. I also plan to establish a mentorship programme that pairs orphans with successful professionals in their desired fields. It is my plan to work with local organisations to provide career guidance and training to orphans, helping them develop the skills they need to succeed in the workforce,” Hondo said.

The model further revealed that her passion for promoting education and career guidance was sparked at a time she was doing her volunteer work at local orphanages, where she witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by young people.

She said: “Growing up, I was fortunate to have a supportive family and access to quality education. However, I realized that not everyone is as fortunate. I began volunteering at local orphanages and witnessed the challenges that these young people face.

“I realised that education and career guidance are key to helping them break the cycle of poverty and achieve their dreams. I’m passionate about using my platform to make a positive impact on their lives.”

The Marondera-based model revealed that she has always been passionate about fashion and self-expression, fascinated by the way models convey confidence and elegance through their poses and expressions.

“After being scouted by a modeling agency, I decided to take the leap and pursue a career in modeling. So far, it’s been an incredible journey. I had the opportunity to work with talented photographers, stylists, and designers, and I’ve learned so much about the industry and myself,” she said.

The model reflected on her journey, acknowledging that while it has been incredible, it hasn’t been without its challenges.

She said she managed to overcome them by focusing on developing resilience and surrounding herself with supportive people who encouraged her to persevere, even in the toughest moments.

“One of the biggest challenges I faced was rejection and criticism. I’ve had to deal with clients who didn’t like my look, photographers who didn’t think I was experienced enough, and critics who thought I wasn’t talented enough.

“To overcome these challenges, I focused on developing a thick skin and learning from each experience. I also surrounded myself with supportive people who encouraged me to keep going, even when things got tough.”

Her long-term goals extend beyond her own modeling career. She aspires to become a manager for emerging models, driven by her desire to support and guide those navigating the industry.
She also aims to leverage her experience to empower and protect the next generation of talent.

She said: “As I gained more experience in the industry, I began to realize that I wanted to make a more meaningful impact on the lives of young models. I saw how vulnerable and lost some of them were, and I wanted to use my knowledge and experience to guide and support them.

“Becoming a manager allows me to do just that – to help upcoming models navigate the industry, avoid common pitfalls, and achieve their goals.”