Miss Balaka seeks to change pageant image
Newly crowned Miss Balaka, Shazea Gentili, has said she will change the bad image which her predecessors portrayed.
She said this soon after being crowned Miss Balaka on New Year’s Eve at Zembani Lodge in Balaka.
The Miss Balaka event was organised by We are the Youth of Balaka (Wayob) and it attracted a lot of youth due to the performance by popular musicians such as dancehall artist Saint and Andy Music.
“I want to assure everyone that I will work towards changing the bad image which is there for Miss Balaka. I will join hands with the youth to contribute to the development of the district,” said Gentili.
She also advised the youth to prioritise education to achieve success in life.
Wayob presented awards to several Balaka-based musicians during the event. The award for Group of the Year was given to Real Gangsters while the award for Artist of the Year went to Rob G.
According to Wayob chairperson, Chikondi Limbani, the organisation took the initiative because they want to uplift youths in the district apart from the quest for a vibrant Miss Balaka.
“We want an active Miss Balaka who can contribute to the development in the district. So, as an NGO, we will train and remind the office bearers of their roles. As youth, we should not wait for other people or organisations to help us, but we must have the spirit of empowering one another,” Limbani emphasised.
She also urged the corporate world to join Wayob in improving the Miss Balaka event because it unites youths.
Wayob is a voluntary non-governmental organisation (NGO) which was started as a Facebook group by the youth of Balaka in 2012. It is now a registered NGO since last year.
Its objectives include promoting youth, reforestation and cleaning the town.—Mana
