By Jonas Nyasulu:
Reigning Miss Culture Malawi Ireen Navicha leaves the country on Thursday for South Africa where she is set to participate in the Miss Culture Global contest to be held on Saturday.
Navicha, a second year student, studying Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices at Malawi University of Science and Technology (Must), said on Monday that she is determined to win the crown for Malawi.
“I have undergone proper preparations including coaching especially working with the Miss Culture Malawi organisation. All I can ask is for people to vote for me and help Malawi secure a spot in the top five,” she said.
She said despite having so much on her palms including balancing school and work, she is focused and organised to do well in the contest.
‘‘I have already decided on the key presentation elements such as my wardrobe and performance I will be showcasing,” Navicha said.
Additionally, given her platform and role as Miss Culture Malawi, Navicha, said she is incorporating community projects in her file to make a strong impact at the competition.
Navicha further said that the competition also provides her an ideal platform to showcase Malawi’s rich culture, which includes food, values and traditions.
“As an ambassador and voice for my country, I plan to speak on various topics that will promote our tourism sector in Malawi and showcase how loving, caring and hospitable Malawians are, while also being respectful of other countries’ perspectives,” she said.
Navicha said once she wins the competition, she will champion cultural unity and respect for everyone regardless of age, gender, race and cultural background.
“I will also foster youth empowerment through mental health and education, gender equality, volunteerism, and the preservation of indigenous knowledge, building on my advocacy work and aligning with global Sustainable Development Goals,” she said.
Chief Executive Officer and founder of Miss Culture Global, Lorraine Kljajic, said she is happy that Miss Culture Malawi is taking part in the competition. “This is the main reason why I started this competition because I feel like Malawi was never represented at any of these pageantries. So as a Malawian, I am happy that Malawi is part of the contest,” Klajajic said.
