New Miss Malawi Ireland is Dehorah Phiri, Mr Malawi Ireland is Innocent Chithyoka

On Saturday the new Miss Malawi Ireland was crowned. She is Grace Dehora Phiri, 20 years old who received her crown alongside   Innocent Chithyoka, 19 who carried the day  in Mr Malawi Ireland  contest.

Both the Mr and Miss Malawi Ireland are students at Galway college.

In a tightly contested finale, Dehora Phiri, a nursing student, won the hearts of the audience and judges alike with her confidence, charm and brains.

The event which was spiced up by the performance of rapper Tay Grin, saw  a Dublin accounting student, Yamikani Chikaoneka, 22 becoming a  first runner up  while Shayna Irfan Shariff ,  22  who also studies Accounting from Dublin, becoming the second runner up.

“I am glad that I have been crowned Miss Malawi Ireland,” said Deborah Phiri.

The beauty queen said she will use her crown to “inspire” Malawian girls on taking education seriously and  work hard in school to achieve their goals.

In the men’s category,  Sean Simwanjere,  29  was the first runner up while   Gerald Zaipa, 32 ,  was second runner up. They are all students in Dublin.

Miss Malawi  Ireland and Mr Malawi Ireland organising committee member Grace Mserembo described the event as a success saying the patronage was impressive.

“I am very happy that it  was highly competitive contest  and  it has been very successful,” she said