Former Miss Malawi contestants treat Bhima

There are a few people who, when they are at an elevated ground, will look back at those that took their hand to those heights.

Which is why some former contestants treated legendary Miss Malawi organisor Cava Bhima to a ‘thank you’ dinner.

Lilian Aziz, who is based in Gambia since 2004, said she contacted the Miss Malawi former contestants she could find to show gratitude to Bhima, who has for a long time, championed the pageant.

The beauty queens treated Bhima to a surprise dinner at Sunbird Mount Soche last week.

“It looks simple to other people, but for us it gave us self confidence to believe in ourselves that we can be anything we desire to be,” said Aziz.

She added that her participation in the pageant equiped her with confidence such that she has always stood out wherever she went.

The former second princess for the 2003 pageantry, who now works as marketing manager for Belgian Airlines in Gambia, came into the country on October 27 for a three-week breather.

Aziz said she would love to be involved in organising the Miss Malawi pageantry in the future.

She said there are a lot of lessons that can be drawn from Gambia, which depends on 10 percent returns from tourism.

“Involvement of fashion designers and models can help foster tourism sector. For example, in Gambia, we have Gambia Fashion Week and models from Spain and Poland are invited and international television crews are invited. That gives the sector more visibility,” said Aziz.

She added that in Gambia international travel agents are invited to sample what the country has to offer and as a result they make recommendations for their clients—something Malawians can learn from.