Miss Malawi organisers struggle to raise K30m

Alpha Arts, organisers of the 2022 Miss Malawi pageant, say they are yet to meet their estimated K30 million budget to host the event with only two weeks before the contest.

The pageant is scheduled for December 3 at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe.

Alpha Arts co-director Tina Kendricks, in an interview yesterday said they had projected a K30 million budget which includes monetary prizes for the top three winners, but they are yet to meet the target. She said this is despite the numerous efforts undertaken to court partnerships from the corporate world.

In the previous pageants, the Miss Malawi winner walked away with a car as top prize, but the organisers of the 2022 contest say they have given up on matching such standards.

Kendricks said: “Things don’t look good for now. But we are still pushing. There are still some doors that we are still waiting on. Until the last minute, we will retain the hope. Organising such an event entails a lot of things and numerous costs too.”

She said initially they planned to give a cash prize of K2 million to the winner, K1.2 million to the First Princess and K1 million to the runner-up. Alpha Arts say they also wanted to set aside a K1 million starter-pack for the queen to help her kick-start a charity initiative of her choice.

Kendricks said they had also planned to secure piece of land for the winners through estate agencies, but they are yet to get any assurances from the firms they have so far contacted.

So far, Alpha Arts has secured partnerships with entities such as Zodiak Broadcasting Station, Serendib Hotels and Resorts and Optical Photography.

They have also earned sponsorship from companies such as Sky Energy Africa, Nyasa Mobiles, Grand Palace Hotelin Mzuzu, Chibiso Motors, Electro Card and Dali Fashions, among others who have offered different services.

Last week, the organisers unveiled what may be the biggest deal so far with travel agents Blueberry Travels. The company has pledged a return air ticket for a five-day vacation to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates valued at K2.6 million for the eventual winner.

The trip will include a provision of hotel accommodation, return flight ticket from Blantyre to Lilongwe, a tour of Dubai, an evening cruise trip, a desert safari experience and a visa.

Blueberry Travels branch manager Naman Laljani said the Miss Malawi pageant is a platform where one can showcase their inner and outer beauty and provides an opportunity to learn about life’s experiences.

“It is a great event to support. We want to motivate the participants and the organisers to work hard and keep their focus. We also look at this as a platform to market our brand by increasing awareness of the services that we do offer,” he said.

Last week, the organisers of the pageant had an audience with the First Lady Monica Chakwera as part of their fundraising drive.