The reigning Miss Africa USA is a proud native of South Africa and also proud of her roots in Pittsburg.
Nyasha “Nancy” Zimucha, a 2003 Pittsburg High School graduate, is also featured on a new reality show, “Little Miss Perfect,” on WETV, available locally on Cox Communications channel 210, on satellite, TELCO and ITPTV.
“I’ve been in New York doing press for the show,” Zimucha e-mailed recently. “It was also fashion week, and I wanted to get to as many shows as I could.”
During an extended telephone interview, while she was visiting parents George and Unnah Zimucha in Lenexa, Zimucha, who lives in Miami, Fla., told of her family’s history.
“They came to Pittsburg in the 1980s to go to Pittsburg State University,” she said. “My father was in the automotive department, and my mother, who now works at the University of Kansas Medical Center, studied nursing at the same time Lisa Schwob was there. When I went to PHS, Lisa was the school nurse there.”
The couple returned to South Africa, where Zimucha was born in the same town as Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron.
“Dad worked for Mercedes Benz, and we had a house on the ocean and a nanny,” Zimucha said. “All I watched on TV was the show ‘Saved by the Bell,’ and I thought America was like that.”
She learned otherwise when the family returned to the United States in 2001.
“Pittsburg is where I started my journey in this country,” she said. “I give a lot of credit to Pittsburg. It’s an amazing town, and when I talk about Pittsburg, I feel warm inside.”
She enjoyed her time at PHS, and was on the pom pon squad with the late Megan Mallatt. Zimucha keeps in touch with her parents, Dr. Keith and Brenda Mallatt. She also fondly remembers teachers Mike Hogard, Lee Brunetti and Kathleen Owsley.
“They’ve all had a lot to do with my success,” she said.
She was also inspired by Gene Bicknell.
“I did a play with Gene Bicknell and went to school with his grandchildren,” she said. “He helped me with a college scholarship, and I want to have the same philanthropy mentality that he has. It’s not just about throwing money at a problem. Words of encouragement, and letting young people know you believe in them, means a lot. Words are more powerful than money.”
After high school, Zimucha went to Johnson County Community College for a time.
“We’re all pretty much true Gorillas, except for me,” she said. “My sister and brother-in-law, Elsie and Lovemore Tambaoga, are now PSU graduate students. My brothers are in South Africa.”
Then she had an opportunity to cheer for the New England Patriots.
“That was a great experience,” Zimucha said. “It was very cold up there, but I loved it.”
She was also a back-up dancer for Fergie and Gwen Stefani, and danced at the 2006 MTV Music Awards.
“I’d think, ‘This is not really happening to me’,” Zimucha said. “It’s all about putting yourself in that position, going out and trying. I’m just a little girl from a small town, and never dreamed I’d be doing TV.”
After leaving New England and moving to Miami, she became involved with the Miss USA organization as a state director.
“I got a bug and wanted to compete,” Zimucha said. “I was approached regarding a show on pageants on the Women’s Entertainment Network. It would follow the girls through a pageant, and show the positive side of pageants. I served as a judge. We started filming last summer for four months.”
Anyone wishing additional information about the show may visit www.WETV.com and click on “Little Miss Perfect.”
Zimucha did extensive promotional work for the show, including attending Super Bowl activities.
She also won the title of Miss Africa USA, a cultural showcase of the African heritage in the United States. The pageant is a charity event, providing a platform for young African women in America to showcase talent, leadership, culture and a unique opportunity to speak up for Africa, raising awareness on pertinent issues concerning the continent and how Americans and friends of Africa can help make a difference in Africa. Proceeds from this event helps to fund identified projects dealing with needs in health care, education and the protection of women and children's rights.
Zimucha noted that Africa is home to 53 countries, each with its own rich ethnic and historical heritage.
“On May 10, 1999, I saw Nelson Mandela become the first black president of South Africa, and I was very proud to be at Barack Obama’s inauguration as the first black president of the United States,” she said. “I’m not a political person, but the historical relevance captured my heart. I don’t want to give back just to my people — I consider myself a global citizen.”
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The reigning Miss Africa USA is a proud native of South Africa and also proud of her roots in Pittsburg.
Nyasha “Nancy” Zimucha, a 2003 Pittsburg High School graduate, is also featured on a new reality show, “Little Miss Perfect,” on WETV, available locally on Cox Communications channel 210, on satellite, TELCO and ITPTV.
“I’ve been in New York doing press for the show,” Zimucha e-mailed recently. “It was also fashion week, and I wanted to get to as many shows as I could.”
During an extended telephone interview, while she was visiting parents George and Unnah Zimucha in Lenexa, Zimucha, who lives in Miami, Fla., told of her family’s history.
“They came to Pittsburg in the 1980s to go to Pittsburg State University,” she said. “My father was in the automotive department, and my mother, who now works at the University of Kansas Medical Center, studied nursing at the same time Lisa Schwob was there. When I went to PHS, Lisa was the school nurse there.”
The couple returned to South Africa, where Zimucha was born in the same town as Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron.
“Dad worked for Mercedes Benz, and we had a house on the ocean and a nanny,” Zimucha said. “All I watched on TV was the show ‘Saved by the Bell,’ and I thought America was like that.”
She learned otherwise when the family returned to the United States in 2001.
“Pittsburg is where I started my journey in this country,” she said. “I give a lot of credit to Pittsburg. It’s an amazing town, and when I talk about Pittsburg, I feel warm inside.”
She enjoyed her time at PHS, and was on the pom pon squad with the late Megan Mallatt. Zimucha keeps in touch with her parents, Dr. Keith and Brenda Mallatt. She also fondly remembers teachers Mike Hogard, Lee Brunetti and Kathleen Owsley.
“They’ve all had a lot to do with my success,” she said.
She was also inspired by Gene Bicknell.
“I did a play with Gene Bicknell and went to school with his grandchildren,” she said. “He helped me with a college scholarship, and I want to have the same philanthropy mentality that he has. It’s not just about throwing money at a problem. Words of encouragement, and letting young people know you believe in them, means a lot. Words are more powerful than money.”
After high school, Zimucha went to Johnson County Community College for a time.
“We’re all pretty much true Gorillas, except for me,” she said. “My sister and brother-in-law, Elsie and Lovemore Tambaoga, are now PSU graduate students. My brothers are in South Africa.”
Then she had an opportunity to cheer for the New England Patriots.
“That was a great experience,” Zimucha said. “It was very cold up there, but I loved it.”
She was also a back-up dancer for Fergie and Gwen Stefani, and danced at the 2006 MTV Music Awards.
“I’d think, ‘This is not really happening to me’,” Zimucha said. “It’s all about putting yourself in that position, going out and trying. I’m just a little girl from a small town, and never dreamed I’d be doing TV.”
After leaving New England and moving to Miami, she became involved with the Miss USA organization as a state director.
“I got a bug and wanted to compete,” Zimucha said. “I was approached regarding a show on pageants on the Women’s Entertainment Network. It would follow the girls through a pageant, and show the positive side of pageants. I served as a judge. We started filming last summer for four months.”
Anyone wishing additional information about the show may visit www.WETV.com and click on “Little Miss Perfect.”
Zimucha did extensive promotional work for the show, including attending Super Bowl activities.
She also won the title of Miss Africa USA, a cultural showcase of the African heritage in the United States. The pageant is a charity event, providing a platform for young African women in America to showcase talent, leadership, culture and a unique opportunity to speak up for Africa, raising awareness on pertinent issues concerning the continent and how Americans and friends of Africa can help make a difference in Africa. Proceeds from this event helps to fund identified projects dealing with needs in health care, education and the protection of women and children's rights.
Zimucha noted that Africa is home to 53 countries, each with its own rich ethnic and historical heritage.
“On May 10, 1999, I saw Nelson Mandela become the first black president of South Africa, and I was very proud to be at Barack Obama’s inauguration as the first black president of the United States,” she said. “I’m not a political person, but the historical relevance captured my heart. I don’t want to give back just to my people — I consider myself a global citizen.”
