Carrying a nation’s dreams: Zimbabwe’s golden girl Lola Nice shines on international stage

Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]

AT just 16, Lola Elizabeth Amira Nice is carrying the hopes of a nation thousands of kilometres from home. The reigning Miss Teen Zimbabwe 2026 is representing the country at Miss Teen International in Jaipur, India, where she is competing against contestants from nearly 30 countries for a prestigious global title.

The competition, which began on August 22, reaches its climax tomorrow, with young women from around the world battling for the crown.

For Lola, however, the journey is about much more than winning a beauty pageant. It is an opportunity to showcase Zimbabwe’s talent, culture and potential on the world stage while proving that young people can make a difference in their communities.

The Hellenic Academy student arrived in India carrying an impressive record of achievement that stretches far beyond the pageant world.

An accomplished archer, Lola has already represented Zimbabwe at international level. In 2025, she was part of the Zimbabwe Development Team that won three bronze medals at the AGA World Tournament.

Her success has continued to grow. Earlier this year, she won a silver medal in 3D Archery at the Zimbabwe National Championships and recently travelled to Botswana as part of the national team.

Yet sport is only one part of her story.

At school, Lola serves as a student first-aid responder, a role that reflects her commitment to helping others. She is also passionate about creating opportunities for young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

As a brand ambassador for the Centre for Total Transformation (CTT), she supports programmes aimed at improving access to education for underprivileged children. Through her advocacy work, she encourages young people to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams.

It is this blend of talent, leadership and community service that she hopes to bring to the Miss Teen International stage.

“I proudly carry the Zimbabwean flag and the dreams of young people across our nation. Zimbabwe has talented, resilient and ambitious young people, and I want the world to see what we can achieve when we lead with purpose and determination. I will represent my country with excellence, confidence and pride, while inspiring other young people to dream boldly and believe in their abilities,” she said.

Miss Teen International is designed to celebrate much more than physical beauty. Contestants are judged on qualities such as leadership, confidence, communication skills, cultural awareness and community involvement.

Guided by its motto, “Make a Difference”, the competition encourages young women between the ages of 14 and 19 to use their platforms to champion meaningful causes and inspire positive change.

For Lola, the event provides a chance to tell a wider story about Zimbabwe’s young people, a generation that continues to excel in sport, education, the arts and community development.

Miss Zimbabwe Trust director Patience Lusengo believes the nation should get behind the teenager as she takes on the international stage.

“Lola represents the determination, talent and promise of Zimbabwe’s young people. We encourage every Zimbabwean to stand behind her, celebrate her journey and support her as she carries our national flag in India. Her achievements in academics, sport and community service already make us proud, and we know she will represent Zimbabwe with distinction,” she said.

Lusengo also paid tribute to the sponsors, partners, school and family members whose support helped make the trip possible.

“We sincerely thank our sponsors, partners, supporters, her school and her family for believing in Lola and making this journey possible. Their support continues to create opportunities for young Zimbabweans to excel internationally. We also invite more organisations and individuals to partner with us as we strengthen platforms that empower our youth and elevate Zimbabwe’s image across the world,” she continued.

As the countdown to tomorrow’s grand finale gathers pace, Zimbabweans will be watching closely to see how their young representative fares against the world’s best.

But regardless of the final result, Lola has already achieved something significant.

She has taken Zimbabwe’s flag to one of the world’s biggest youth pageantry stages and used the opportunity to highlight the talent, determination and potential of the country’s young people.

From the classroom to international sporting arenas, from first-aid duties to advocating for better educational opportunities, Lola represents a generation that is ambitious, capable and eager to make a positive impact.

In India, she is not simply competing for a crown. She is representing the dreams and aspirations of Zimbabwean youth.

And as she prepares for the biggest moment of her pageantry journey so far, one thing is already clear: Zimbabwe has every reason to be proud of her. —@MbuleloMpofu