MBABANE – Former Miss Eswatini Vinah Mamba asserts the Miss Eswatini pageant has become a commercial enterprise and no longer serves to reward young women
Mamba’s remarks come amid ongoing social media debates about when the country’s reigning Miss Eswatini will compete in the Miss World competition. Vinah Mamba is a notable figure in Eswatini’s beauty pageant landscape. She was crowned Miss Eswatini in 1975 and later became the director of the now Miss Eswatini pageant. She also holds the distinction of winning Miss Congeniality at Miss World, representing Eswatini in 1975. Often called the ‘iron lady’ of the local industry, her long-standing involvement and influence have helped shape the pageant scene in the country. She was also awarded Miss Photogenic out of 160 women from around the world.
Since 2010, Eswatini has not participated in Miss World with the last representative being Nompilo Mncina who held the title in 2009. After a three-year hiatus, the Miss Eswatini pageant was revived in 2017. Its mission is to empower and provide opportunities for young diverse women who are passionate about public service and charity work. The pageant aims to help contestants progress both personally and professionally during their year of service and beyond
Mamba laments the current state of the pageant. “It has completely changed and is no longer being taken seriously.
Donations
‘‘Even if the winner cannot participate at international level, the pageant should be revived locally. It should be given the prominence and respect it deserves. There are now no donations for the pageant because it is not recognised as it should be in the country. During my time, I would travel to seek sponsorships and I had connections as far as Europe, so it was easier for winners to participate on the world stage,” she said
She further recalled how she would secure sponsors during her tenure. “I was once sponsored by KFC and I also had contacts in Maputo. I would show sponsors the role Miss Eswatini plays in society especially in aiding the needy. It’s worth mentioning that I have been involved in Miss Eswatini for over 20 years without government funding. I remember three times my husband used his own money just for me to keep hosting Miss Eswatini. I would take the girls overseas at my own expense,” Mamba revealed
On why Eswatini continues to be absent from the international stage, she said the pageant’s decline is to blame. “The pageant has now turned into a business because those responsible lack passion for the event.
‘‘I recently attended an edition and was shocked to see that the décor and setup were not as they should be,” she stated. Mamba also pointed out that the prizes for winners are now unimpressive, often limited to a laptop.
She highlighted the financial burden placed on families, noting that parents are now heavily involved in supporting their children’s quest for the Miss Eswatini crown.
The current Miss Eswatini Temvelo Mtsetfwa, has yet to receive the car promised to her. Moreover, she has not yet been lined up for Miss World participation.
This past Saturday, this publication approached Minister for Sports Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima, to enquire why Mtsetfwa remains without her vehicle. The minister stated that he had not received any reports regarding the car and that Mtsetfwa had not yet approached him with a complaint. During an earlier discussion with ENCAC CEO Stanley Dlamini, he confirmed that legal steps had been initiated to secure the Miss Eswatini vehicle.
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