Miss Culture Malawi, a local beauty pageant, has clocked five years since it started in the country with its mission of empowering young women and promoting cultural heritage.
Since its inception in 2021, the pageant has become a staple on the country’s pageantry scene offering contestants to showcase their talent, heritage and advocacy work.
Reflecting on the five-year journey, founder Lorraine Kljajic said Miss Culture Malawi has grown into more than just a beauty pageant, stressing that it has become a platform of empowerment and cultural pride.
“The platform has contributed to shaping role models who are actively involved in community work, education and cultural promotion. I am proud that Miss Culture Malawi has created a legacy of influence that extends beyond the stage and resonates with our communities,” she said.
Kljajic said challenges faced in sustaining the pageant include funding constraints, sponsorship issues, as well as public perception of beauty competitions.
“Sustaining a platform of this scale requires significant resources, partnerships and constant innovation and this is a problem. Another challenge has been ensuring that our queens are not only seen as beauty representatives, but as leaders, advocates and ambassadors for Malawi,” she said.
Despite these challenges, Kljajic said they have remained consistent by building strong partnerships, investing their own resources when necessary and staying true to the mission.
Reigning Miss Culture Malawi Wesha Mwalamoyo said the pageant is playing a big role in empowering young women.
“The scholarships that we get to help us get further education are important in the development of furthering our education and empowering us in that way,” she said.
Mwalamoyo also highlighted how the platform encourages active citizenship and has also challenged other titleholders to be active in contributing to community development.
“Charity works that the platform champions have been crucial in allowing me and former titleholders to be active citizens by giving back to the community, one of the things I cherish and that changes one’s perspective,” she said.
Contestant manager Penelope Yamikani Mbewe, who was in 2023 crowned second princess and received the title of Miss Popularity, said Miss Culture Malawi was the beginning of opportunities that have shaped her journey.
“Miss Culture Malawi has not only built my brand, but created career opportunities. It shaped me into a bold, confident and humble leader,” she said.
