Reigning Miss Malawi Susan Mtegha’s supremacy over the crown came to an end on Monday as this day marks exactly one year since she rose to the throne at a glamorous event held in Lilongwe last year.
And the queen is relinquishing the title with mixed feelings.
In an exclusive interview on Sunday, Mtegha spoke of her disappointment over the lack of the Miss Malawi pageant this year, meaning there will not be anyone to hand over the office to.
“It gives me great sadness to know that the pageant will not be happening this year 2012, and I do not know when it will and if it ever will happen any time soon. However, I would like to show my appreciation to my family and friends who have always stood by me during my reign, without forgetting my sponsors,” she said.
She also thanked her manager Vitu Kamanga and the office of Miss Malawi for what she called their moral support.
However, lines of regret and sorrow seemed to dominate her farewell speech.
“As I bid farewell to the office, I plead with the nation at large to not let such a great culture of beauty pageants die out. I would have loved if the government would take up an even bigger role in supporting beauty pageants in Malawi. The office of Miss Malawi is meant to empower young women in helping them reach their goals and placing them as ambassadors of this country.
“We talk about youth empowerment but truth be told, youth would relate better to their fellow youth than they would to any other person. This is because sharing ideas and understanding each other is easier and this is what I personally would love to see happen to this office of Miss Malawi,” she said.
The outgoing queen also touted for the youth to be given a chance on various platforms to make a difference.
Upon being crowned the queen of the land last year, Mtegha- in an impromptu interview- promised to waste no time in starting her work.
“My first job is to raise as much funds for charity as I can and that has to start now. To me, being Miss Malawi means going out and confront the challenges facing our people head on,” she said.
And a year down the lane, the queen seems to have lived her word as she has been involved in various charity works.
She, however, has also suggested that the queen should be involved in more youth related activities, claiming the crown is an office meant to reach out to the less fortunate and privileged.
She, however, did not lament for long as highlights of her year in office overshadowed her fears.
“My trip to Miss World has allowed me to make friends I cherish and still communicate to up to now and the world stage is the biggest achievement I have ever gained from this office.
“All in all, this has been a great opportunity for me. It’s been a stepping stone for what I would love to achieve in life. There is so much I still wanted to do but time and resources were not on my side and I just hope that the next queen will take up from where I left off. I wish the next Miss Malawi all the best in her reign,” she signed off.
Mtegha, 25, beat 16 other finalists in last year’s beauty gala held at Capital Hotel’s Marquee. She was also Miss Top Model and Miss Talent. Mayamiko Msosa, 23, became the first princes replacing Mervis Ngulube who could only claim a Miss Pretty Face alias Miss Finest accolade. Twenty two-year-old Jacqueline Chinkwita Phiri occupied the second princess spot.
