‘I’m ready to carry Malawi flag’: Navicha departs for Miss World amid controversy

Miss Malawi First Princess Ireen Navicha has departed for Vietnam to represent the country at the 73rd Miss World pageant, insisting she remains mentally strong and firmly focused on her mission despite ongoing controversy surrounding her participation.

Navicha will compete on the world stage between 8 August and 5 September, carrying Malawi’s flag into one of the most prestigious beauty pageants on the international calendar.

Speaking ahead of her departure, Navicha addressed the commotion that has surrounded her selection head-on, insisting she has refused to let the noise derail her preparation or her sense of purpose.

‘My mental well-being is okay and I’m ready to carry our flag,’ she said. ‘My purpose is what inspires me. I started the pageantry journey because I wanted to inspire and educate girls. So that is what motivates me and encourages me to be better.’

The beauty queen made a direct appeal to Malawians back home, urging the nation to rally behind her as she prepares to compete against contestants from across the globe.

Behind the scenes, however, preparations have proven far from smooth. Miss Malawi Organisation chief executive Bernardette Mweso admitted the process had been challenging, largely because the organisation has lacked recent representation on the international pageant circuit.

Mweso said a number of individuals, including local fashion designers, had stepped in to support preparations, but revealed the organisation was still appealing for approximately K5 million to fully fund the delegation travelling with Navicha to Vietnam – highlighting the financial strain facing Malawi’s pageant sector as it attempts to compete on the global stage.

Navicha’s send-off at Kamuzu International Airport was marked by a colourful display of national pride, with members of the Malawi Dance Troupe joining organisation officials to see her off before her long journey to Southeast Asia.

Her participation comes amid what has been a turbulent build-up, with questions previously raised in some quarters over the circumstances of her selection as First Princess – controversy Navicha appears determined to rise above as she turns her full attention to representing Malawi on one of beauty pageantry’s biggest stages.