The Miss Malawi beauty pageant has been on and off. For two years now, the country has operated without a beauty queen. This was after the two-year licence given to two media organisations Nation Publications Limited and Zodiak Broadcasting Station to run the pageant expired. Now, the initial rights holders have announced the return of the contest. Our arts editor EDITH GONDWE caught up with the publicist of Miss Malawi Beauty Pageant, Thembiwe Chakanza, for details. Excerpts:
Q
: We have seen that you have started some activities to promote the upcoming Miss Malawi beauty contest? Tell us more.
A
: We are, among other things, running a call for models through our website missmw.org for interested and eligible Miss Malawi aspirants to fill a form online and submit to us. The next step we are working on is to launch the online auditions, which will see the aspirants record a high resolution audition video and send to us which will also be available for the public to watch. We are also in the process of identifying and sourcing sponsors and other industry players to work with during the event.
Q
: When are we having the Miss Malawi beauty contest?
A
: At the moment I cannot tell you the exact date as we are still monitoring the Covid-19 situation. But be assured that we will have the event latest December this year.
Q
: The Miss Malawi winner is usually sent to attend some international competitions. Do you have such plans once the beauty queen has been chosen?
A
: Yes, we do have plans to send the Miss Malawi winner to represent the country at international pageants. We aim to have the Miss Malawi title holder to be a brand ambassador beyond our borders.
Q
: Some critics have noted that the competition targets mainly exposed and urban dwellers. What are you doing to include even those from rural areas to increase chances of getting the best of the best?
A
: The auditions this year will definitely be different. We have opted to do online auditions due to Covid-19, which will remove the limitations of having auditions in only the main cities of the country thereby being accessible to everyone in every corner of the country to reach us virtually. We have also decided to use scouting as another way of finding this year’s contestants. This means we are not only looking at contestants coming to us, but we will go out there and scout for the eligible girls, including in non urban and less exposed areas. We want all girls even in the rural areas to know that the Miss Malawi contest is for everyone. We truly are looking to find the best of best.
Q
: What is your message to young women aspiring to contest for the position of Miss Malawi?
A
: My message to young women aspiring to contest for Miss Malawi 2021 is to look at this pageant as the beginning of a journey to making a difference. We want to work together to bring prestige to the title of Miss Malawi and use the crown to influence young women to make a difference. Our theme this year is Uplifting Girls’ Education and under this, we want the aspiring women to know of the great work they will be involved in by helping other fellow women and young girls through bring attention to the importance of uplifting girls’ education. We believe that when girls have access to education as well as the hunger to be educated, they will develop the knowledge and skills to adapt to present and future challenges facing our country and the world. This is a great initiative to be a part of.
Q
: Any additional information?
A
: I will just add that we look forward to choosing our queen for Miss Malawi 2021 and to receive the support from the nation on this journey.
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