According to unofficial reports, the Miss Malawi Beauty Pageant is returning in 2022, this time for real. There had been talks and hopes of it returning in 2018, 2020, and 2021, but the fire died quickly and no questions were asked, mostly because we were hit with the Covid 19 pandemic, and we still hadn't figured out how to cope, at least that's what I'd like to believe. This means Tionge Munthali has been wearing the crown for four years now.
I'm a reality TV show junkie, so my excitement with this news is uncontrollable. For those of us who have been anticipating this event, we have our fingers crossed that it will be better than the previous ones in terms of the competition, the fashion and well, everything else.
Before someone else reminds us "how Beauty Pageants don't benefit us in any way as a country and should be abolished," let me remind you that beauty pageants have evolved and now focus on more than just physical beauty. For this reason, beauty contestants are judged for their personality, intelligence, talent, character, and charitable involvement, and more as evidenced by the interviews with the judges and answers to on-stage questions.
Several Miss Malawi’s have done outstanding and memorable selfless service to their country. Blandina Khondowe (may she continue resting in peace), the beauty who will always be remembered for what she did for this country, particularly for women and girls, raising more awareness about breast cancer than anyone else has ever done in this country (see Think Pink Malawi), and Cecelia Khofi, a beauty queen with an easy smile who will always be known for her charity work across the country during her reign.
While we wait for official word on the return, let me just say that the Miss Malawi Beauty Pageant is more than just a beauty pageant; it is so much more! It demonstrates what girls are capable of accomplishing when given the right resources and platforms. It reminds us that girls can change the world if given a chance.
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