"It's been wonderful, I have been having an amazing time," chirped Miss Zimbabwe Global, Mutsa Mutare who appeared oblivious to the bad blood between Kingston and Harare.

The 22-year-old sales and marketing consultant is one of 31 contestants from around the world visiting Jamaica for the 2012 finals of Miss Global International, a Jamaican international beauty pageant.

She was at a loss when asked by the Jamaica Observer how she felt about the current political row between the Jamaican government and Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, over his description of Jamaican men as drunks and ganja smokers.

"I am not aware of that," she said. "All I know is that we've have had good relations with Jamaica since independence. Bob Marley was

there, we've always enjoyed good relations."

Mutsa was much more concerned with enjoying her US$15,000 trip from Harare, and possibly winning the pageant which culminates Saturday night at the Montego Bay Conference Centre. She would be the third Zimbabwean to win the seven-year-old contest since 2006.

The contestants were in Kingston yesterday for a series of courtesy calls, including one on Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller at Jamaica House. The Prime Minister urged the beauties to face each challenge as another hurdle that has to be cleared, and to be

motivated by the achievements of their female leaders.

Miss Global International Pageant is a Jamaican organisation promoting local tourism through beauty. The franchise is owned by Montego Bay businessman Lachu Ramchandani.