By Jimmy Chazama
Twenty-three-year-old Weshah Mwalamoyo, a bio-technology graduate from Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar), was on Saturday crowned Miss Culture Malawi during the Miss and Mrs Culture Malawi pageant held at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe.
Mwalamoyo won the hearts of the judges, who included Miss Culture Global 2024 Casey Esmeraldo from South Africa.
The new queen, who has taken over from Ireen Navicha, outclassed other challengers in different categories where she was outstanding from the word go.
As the new titleholder, Mwalamoyo got a scholarship, cash prize of K1 million and a cultural trip to South Africa, among other prizes.
“This means more to me. It is not just about winning but bringing change and highlighting issues to do with mental health, which is in line with goals of the Miss Culture Global and Miss Culture Malawi through Lush Africa. I will work with charity organisations to give back to the community,” she said.
Hazel Mayuni and Vanessa Njobvu were crowned first and second princess, respectively.
In the Mrs Culture Malawi contest, which had only two contestants, Alinafe Tinashe
Kanjana was crowned Mrs Culture Malawi while her rival was the first runner-up.
Esmeraldo, who applauded the winner for putting out a top class outing, said she was impressed with the event.
“[It was a] great event and well organised. The winner was in a class of her own and deserves exposure,” she said.
Lush Africa Foundation Chief Executive Officer
Lorraine Kljajic described the event as a success and welcomed the new queen.
“The judges did a good job. We look forward to working with the new queen and we will mentor her so as to executive her duties well,” Kljajic said.
She said Miss Culture Malawi and Mrs Culture Malawi had made strides since inception, saying they had achieved great feats in promoting cultural awareness and community engagement.
“People need to support pageants and understand them. We want them to change their mindset,” she said.
The pageant was spiced by performances from musicians Temwah and Emmie Deebo.
The Miss Culture Malawi and Mrs Culture, which is spearheaded by Lush Africa Foundation in partnership Miss Culture Global, celebrates cultural diversity and promotes community development.
