TWENTY-FIVE year-old Natasha Mapulanga was crowned as the new Miss Zambia, seven years after missing out on the crown in 2014.
For getting the ultimate crown, Natasha will represent Zambia at this year’s Miss World pageant.
The international relations and development analyst student, who was Second Runner Up in 2014, took over the title from her predecessor Vanessa Chinyemba after being chosen as the most impressive of the eight other participants at a colourful ceremony that was held at the Best Western Plus Hotel on Saturday, June 11, 2022.
Joyce Mwansa, 26, a laboratory technologist was picked as the First Princess while 26-year-old marketer Naboonga Mulenga walked away with the Second Princess title with 22-year-old entrepreneur Celine Mbunda settling for Miss Personality.
But in order to make it to the top five, the girls first had to impress the five-member jury in the four categories – Introduction, tradition, Zambian colours and evening wear.
During the evening wear category, the nine contestants were reduced to five – Natasha, Naboonga, Celine, Taonga Kanyanta, 26, and Joyce.
As is tradition, the contestants, during the question and answer session, Natasha was asked by Elizabeth on what she aspires to be and why. In
response, she said: “I would aspire to be someone that adds value and inspires positive change in society.”
However, it was the confidence in Naboonga’s response when asked by Wika how she would define the current status of Zambia with regard to religion, politics, and the economy that excited the audience. It was a tough question.
The pageant was hosted by television and radio personality Michelo ‘Michie’ Malambo, who also happens to be a former Miss Zambia title holder herself.
Apart from the crown and an assured participation at the Miss World pageant, Natasha walked away with a year's supply of Swiss Arabian perfume, K50, 000 Mozo TV voucher, monthly supply of Movit and Sho’dor products, a brand new Mercedes Benz E20 to be given after successfully participating in the Miss World pageant and a cash prize of US$4000 to be paid to her within the year.
Others who made it to the finals are Taonga Kanyanta, 26, a science laboratory technologist; Nancy Mwansa, 20, a student and model; Febby Ngandwe, 25, a student and agro-entrepreneur; Eutray Simwatachela, 23, a front desk operator; and Venus Vlahakis, 24, a student.
Other past winners of the Miss Zambia title are Elizabeth Mwanza, Tukuza Tembo, Alice Banda, Cynthia Kanema, Precious Mumbi, Winfredah Mofu, Katanekwa Matundwelo, Christine Mwaba, Michelo Malambo, Mwangala Ikacana and Vanessa Chinyemba.
Reigning Miss Botswana Palesa Molefe was also in attendance at the grand finale that was also being televised on Mozo TV, Crown TV and other selected Zambian TopStar Channels while in Uganda it was on Capital TV, GH1 TV in Ghana and on Kiss TV in Kenya.
Soon after, musicians T Sean, Jae Cash and Pharaoh were tasked with the sole duty of entertaining the audience. As always expected, they never disappointed.
This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper of Saturday, June 18, 2022.
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