First Lady fails to grace Miss Malawi ceremony
The country’s First Lady, Calista Mutharika on Friday night failed to attend the 2011 Miss Malawi beauty pageant, contrary to an earlier announcement that she would grace the occasion.
Miss Malawi 2011 event started at 9:00pm at Sunbird Capital Hotel Marquee in Lilongwe instead of the scheduled time, 7:30pm.
Nyasa Timesunderstands that the First Lady did not show up because “the First Couple has received guests at State House”.
Meanwhile, Minister responsible for Gender, Child and Community Development Reen Kachere represented the President’s wife at the beauty pageant.
Modelling
In her speech, Kachere observed that beauty queens are ambassadors of development in any country, which among them include culture, tourism and child development and “therefore the First Couple was proud to be part of the Miss Malawi.”
“These young women carry national identity and they help in promoting culture wherever they go,” said Kachere, calling upon Malawians to use such events to advance Malawi’s culture.
She further called upon the Malawian business community to use Malawian models in promoting their businesses through adverts and offering employment opportunities.
Kachere further said her ministry would like to see young women in Malawi excel in life and therefore government would be happy to see a Malawian girl representing the country at Miss World or Miss Universe.
On his part, Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture, Daniel Liwimbi has commended the organizers, Artistic Agency for putting up a grand show.
He said Miss Malawi is the daughter of the country and as a nation, Malawians needed to be proud of her.
“Let’s all rally behind and support the winning girl. The ministry of Tourism will pour all its support behind Miss Malawi 2011,” said Liwimbi.
Audience
However, the minister reminded the winning queen to be responsible, have pride and dignity.
Fourteen contestants battled in this year’s Miss Malawi. Apart from Cabinet Ministers, other government officials, the business community, the event was graced by Miss Zambia and Miss Zimbabwe as well as the outgoing Miss Malawi Faith Chibale, former Miss Malawi Perth Msika among others.
Theo Thomson is one of the performers and who played the Miss Malawi 2011 theme song ‘Kadona’. Other performers are Symon & Kendall of the Nyembanyemba fame.
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