Nineteen-year-olds Thato Mwendo and Joyce Melayi Chaula were over the weekend crowned Mr. and Miss Chancellor College (Chanco) 2015, respectively.
They both beat five other contestants in their respective categories during the pageant held at the Great Hall in Zomba on Saturday, during the college’s social weekend sponsored by Airtel Malawi.
Mwendo is a Bachelor of Arts in Communication student while Chaula is pursuing Education Social Studies. They will serve their terms until 2016.
“Winning Mr Chanco to me means a great deal. It’s an honour and a privilege that I don’t take for granted,” indicated the excited Mwendo in an interview after winning the title.
Chaula said: “I felt great winning the title. This gives me a sense that I am confident enough and capable of doing something great in life, more especially in a male dominated environment. That’s what it means to me to be Miss Chanco”.
They both expressed hope winning the titles would open doors to opportunities, which they said were achievements not easy to come across in this time and day.
Said Mwendo: “I see it as a stepping stone into modeling. I plan to go as far as possible with modeling.”
“The title has given me a voice, which I intend to use to address fellow students. I intend to use the title to motivate and influence my peers positively.
“[I want] to be a role model to the students’ body and the youth as a whole,” he added, while indicating that he will not let the title hinder his education, saying “Education comes first.”
His female counterpart disclosed that with the title, she intends to inspire her fellow girls and women.
“I want them to know that it’s possible to show up what they are capable of doing without fear. So, to motivate others is my dream and not to get spoiled or spoil others.
“Being Miss Chanco for 2015/2016, I know that I have motivated others and myself since I never thought I will be Miss Chanco this early, in my first year of study with the fact that I did my secondary school at a girls secondary school. So being in front of boys and do something great has been my great achievement,” she explained.
Airtel sponsored two social weekends to the tune of about K2 million, with the other one held at the Malawi Institute of Tourism (MIT) in Blantyre. Artists Blakjak, Nepman, Janta, Blaze and Saint entertained the audiences at both events.
Airtel zonal business manager Daniel Kamanga said the company offered to support the two institutions because it is a youth-centred brand.
“We aim at empowering the youth to unleash their full potential and realise their dreams. Apart from the fun with Airtel, students also use our network to access various social networks as well as academic resources,” he said. n
