newzimbabwe.com
By Showbiz Reporter
Last updated: 08/25/2005 04:30:20
THE ZimExpo Business Exhibition (UK) bursts into life on Saturday morning at the Tottenham Leisure Centre in London.
Several Zimbabwean celebrities are expected to answer an invitation to the event, including poet and singer, Albert Nyathi.
Organisers were also promising a surprise guest, and New Zimbabwe.com understands
Big Brother contestant, Makosi Musambasi, will make an appearance at the Miss Zimbabwe (UK) pageant which follows the business exhibition on Saturday evening.
Top fashion designers and prominent TV and radio personalities from Zimbabwe will be in attendance.
The ZimExpo Business Exhibition began in the United States three years ago, and this is the second year that the event comes to the UK.
Zimbabwean businesses based in the UK were this week putting up their stands in preparation for the exhibition which begins from 11am on Saturday, finishing at 5pm.
But the highlight of the event will be the Miss Zimbabwe UK pageant later in the evening which has attracted huge interest following last year's controversy when a Ghanaian was crowned, leaving organisers with egg on their faces.
This year, a tighter regime was introduced and thorough checks made on the 40 contestants who will battle it out on the ramp during pre-screening on Friday night, before the finalists go on to the main event a day later.
Chris Masikati, a spokesman for the organisers told New Zimbabwe.com last night: "The Business Expo covers all kinds of businesses, big and small, one man, limited, all franchises. People should take this opportunity to mix and mingle with business people from Zimbabwe, UK and Mainland Europe. We still have limited spaces for those with a flare to showcase their products and services to the Zimbabweans in the Diaspora. Limited Zimbabwean Embassy services will be available on site on the day."
The ZimExpo will wind-up on Sunday with a football tournament at Bowlers Club in North London. Eight teams will play for the ZimExpo Trophy Challenge.
"There will be open air braai (barbecue) and it should be a wonderful fun day for families," Masikati said.
Meanwhile, some of the girls taking part in the Miss Zimbabwe (UK) pageant will be whisked to the studios of the London-based internet radio station, Afro Sounds FM, for live interviews on Friday night between 2100hrs and 2300 hrs.
