Model with purpose
T
he modelling industry in Malawi has gone through a lot of highs and lows. From having breaks in producing Miss Malawi beauty queens to reports of low or no pay for models, the industry has seen it all.
But these challenges have not stopped those with the passion to promote modelling in Malawi and expose models who want to make it big in the industry.
Jescar Mponda is one of the young stars that are making strides in the modelling world. The 22-year-old student at Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (Mubas), formerly The Polytechnic under the University of Malawi, is determined to register her name as one of the best models that Malawi has ever seen.
“I started modelling towards the end of 2019. Mostly, it was working with different photographers to create a portfolio as well as to build confidence in me,” she said.
Mponda said she first took part in runway modelling during the Beautiful Africa fashion show in 2020.
“This year I contested for Miss Heritage which was conducted online due to other reasons. I made it into the top five,” she said.
The model said she decided to go for more contests, including successfully being earmarked to represent Malawi during the Miss East Africa beauty contest.
“When I saw the advert for registration for Miss East Africa, I felt this was my chance to go for it. Luckily, I got shortlisted and finally made it after attending auditions in Lilongwe,” said Mponda.
The model will next week travel to Tanzania to represent Malawi during the contest which has $5000 (about K4.1 million) and the latest Nissan X-Trail as part of the take home prizes for the winner.
Mponda said for her, modelling is about celebrating one’s heritage.
“During the Miss East Africa contest, I will bring on the table the natural beauty of Malawian culture, splendour and resources. What sets me apart in this competition is that my country has a lot to offer which has not been displayed by the rest of the world,” she said.
In a separate interview, Mponda’s manager Florence Banda said her model is ready for the big stage in Tanzania.
“Jescar has a great chance of taking the crown. She is smart, beautiful and receptive to advice. She is a university student going into her final year and she understands that this competition is more than just a crown, but rather a platform that one can use to empower, inspire and advocate issues that matter within Malawi and beyond,” she said.
Banda said currently they are looking for outfits for Jescar.
“We are asking our local designers to help so that Malawi can be represented well. We mostly need traditional attire and an evening gown that will depict our Malawian culture,” she said.
Banda said that Mponda was expected to leave Malawi yesterday for camp, but the main event will take place on December 17.
Other models participating will come from Tanzania, Seychelles, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Eritrea and South Sudan, among other countries.
In a statement to announce this year’s event, the competition’s coordinator Daxx Cruz said Miss East Africa platform is designed to uplift young people, promote local tourism of each represented country.
“It aims to advocate tourism and education and embrace culture, uplifting humanity and unity,” she said.
