Powered by Airtel Malawi, Mzuzu University (Mzuni) on Saturday celebrated the uniqueness of plump bodies as second year student Wezi Lwara was crowned Miss Airtel Matofotofo.
Far from the popular view of ‘slim is beautiful’, the event revealed the beautiful side of plump bodies as five contestants took to the runway office wear, traditional wear, casual wear, dinner wear and Airtel branded t-shirts.
she was crowned
The contestants were also tested on their level of intelligence to settle for the tourism and hospitality management student Lwara as the university’s queen. She received K50 000 ($88) cash and a hamper.
The three-member judging panel also selected first year student Maness Salima and third year Eliza Gondwe as first and second princess respectively. They went away with K30 000 ($53) and K20 000 ($35) each in addition to Airtel hampers.
This was the climax of the three-day social weekend meant to orient first year students to sexual reproductive health issues, especially how to prevent sexually transmitted infections, HIV and Aids and unwanted pregnancies.
The event was spiced up with music performances by Nesnes, Mwanache, Blaze and Janta.
In an interview after the contest, Lwara said the Matofotofo pageant will change the negative perception that people have towards ladies with plump bodies.
“People think that plump women can’t model, but there is beauty in plump bodies. I encourage plump ladies to come out and start modelling,” she said.
Mzuni entertainment director Kelvin Chomanika said the event had hiccups in sponsorship, although Airtel came in at the last minute with K500 000 ($880).
“As students, we wouldn’t manage to put up such an activity without sponsors. We plead with the corporate world to support the arts sector if it is to develop,” said Chomanika.
Apart from funding the beauty pageant, Airtel gave out phones and t-shirts to lucky students during various competitions.
