Miss Malawi pageant set for changes
Miss Malawi pageant organisers Alpha Arts have announced changes to the competition starting from this year.
One of the major changes includes allowing girls who have one child to participate in the pageant. The organisers have also raised the age cap of participants from 28 to 30.
The organisers say the changes align with similar changes made to international pageants such as Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Supernatural.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Alpha Arts business and development officer Clara Saeluzika said they cannot work in isolation when the world is undergoing changes. She said the primary idea is to try and make the pageant as inclusive as possible.
“The world is changing and the requirements we use in our pageant are dictated by the international pageants. Now they have changed and we also have to change to align ourselves with such standards,” she said.
Meanwhile, the organisers have insisted that the changes will not dilute the pageant and will not encourage girls to have children out of wedlock.
Alpha Arts co-director Tina Kendrics said the move will not segregate against married women.
She said: “We have instances where girls fall pregnant while young and then go back to school. They are plenty like that with potential to thrive as beauty queens. We want to make this group feel part of us and empower them further through this platform.
“Our friends in South Africa even allow people who are married to participate. We are not doing this in isolation.”
Last year, Miss Universe announced the update on its eligibility rule to allow married women and mothers to compete in the global pageant. According to a report published in the Daily Mail on August 11 2022, the new rule will take effect during the 72nd Miss Universe pageant in November this year.
Miss Universe national director Josh Yugen told The Nation that the development breaks stereotypes the old society has forced on people for many decades.
“The pageant is the greatest and most innovative platform of its kind and now it will be more inclusive and welcoming to mothers and married women,” he said.
Meanwhile, the organisers are receiving entries from those willing to take part in this year’s pageant. Among the requirements, one has to be a Malawian citizen with a height of 1.6 metres, with no criminal record and have not been married before.
Those willing are asked to send two head and shoulder, one full length, a 30-second video clip where they are introducing themselves while wearing light makeup. Entry fee is K5 000.
The closing date for receiving entries is the second week of August.
Alpha Arts took over the running of the pageant last year after an eight year period of non-activity. The team says they learnt from their maiden experience and they are poised to deliver a better event this year.
