Mzuni student to represent Malawi at Miss University Africa
A 20-year-old Mzuzu University (Mzuni) student, Jacqueline Chinkwita-Phiri, this Saturday leaves the country for Nigeria where she will represent Malawi at the 2012 Miss University Africa (MUA) beauty pageant.
Chinkwita-Phiri, who is the second princess to the reigning Miss Malawi Susan Mtegha, was identified after MUA organisers subcontracted a local fashion company Theophilus Fashions to scout for a Malawian representative.
“We had a lot of girls but after thorough screening, we selected Jacqueline Chinkwita of Mzuni to represent Malawi for 2012,” disclosed Theophilus Fashions proprietor Angella Faith Lapukeni, who first represented the country at last year’s pageant.
The competition is a non-bikini pageant committed to promoting and celebrating the beauty and innate potentials of students on the African continent. It provides the winner with a platform, through the MUA Foundation, to discuss issues of vital social importance and find lasting solutions, reach out to the less privileged and provide assistance.
Beauty with purpose
In her own words, the Mzuni student says her motivation for representing Malawi is because she is a ‘beauty with a purpose’ and she will be taking part in the competition because she wants to become the reflection of Africa, seeing through the fulfilment of the Millennium Development Goals.
“I want to improve, empower and represent Malawi and Africa, with my priority being reducing epidemic diseases as well as maternal death,” says the young Malawian woman, currently in 3rd year pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences.
Chinkwita-Phiri comes from a family of two children, a boy and a girl and she did her Malawi School Certificate of Education at Marymount Catholic Secondary School.
Before contesting for Miss Malawi 2011, in which she was also chosen miss personality, she had won the first princess of Miss Mzuni 2010 and Miss Charity Rotary Club 2010. She likes going for walks, singing, designing own wardrobe, interior decorating and cooking.
At last year’s event, Lapukeni, an experienced model and now an Economics graduate from Chancellor College, was bestowed with an award of recognition for being an ambassador.
Meanwhile, Lapukeni is asking well-wishers who would want to help the Malawian representative at this year’s event to come forth with their assistance.
“She needs extra cash for upkeep and also costs involved in processing her visa which is being done in Zambia. The public can also donate presents from Malawi for her to take as well as the Malawian flag,” she appeals.
MUA aims to be one of the most recognized and respected pageants in the world and one that unites African students and the wider African community.
During camp, the delegates are exposed to tremendous amount of opportunities as beauty queens, taking catwalk classes, body makeovers as well as intellectuals, which include debate, research and discuss on issues affecting African youths, education and leadership thereof as well as community work.
