PH
At the point when Basilla Mwanukuzi was delegated Miss Tanzania in 1998, it never occured to her that she would one day wind up succeeding the national chief of Miss World Tanzania.
It was too enormous a fantasy for her for she just couldn’t envision being in charge of the very association that conveyed her to the spotlight around 20 years prior.
This was after she had won the Miss Kinondoni challenge and went ahead to win the fourth release of Miss Tanzania.
To many young women at that time it was more of a wishful thinking for that win also gave her the ticket to represent Tanzania at the Miss World which was held in Seychells later that year.
Since then she has become renowned for outstanding charity work, and through the organisation that she founded two years ago with the aim of empowering lives through different projects such as helping needy women.
Now with her The Look Company Ltd she will is set to host Miss Tanzania pageant after taking over from Hashim Lundenga.
After official launch of New Miss Tanzania last weekend, Basilla spoke to The Beat where she shared some insights on her expectations.
What was in your mind when you decided to take over Miss Tanzania pageant?
Actually it never came across my mind that one day I would become the national director of this prestigious contest.
Miss Tanzania was always a giant pageant for a anyone to think of. So I was shocked at first when Uncle Hashim broke the news to me that he wants to hands it over to me.
It was a tough decision to make but again it was an honor for me in many ways.
What is your goal?
My aim is bring back the status and admiration of the pageant that once made us all proud. Back then it was an honor to participate and be crowned as Miss Tanzania. But over the pageant lost its credibility and I think that’s what I’m obliged to bring back.
What makes you think you can bring about changes?
It’s no secret that during our days Miss Tanzania was a prestigeous event that every Tanzanian wanted to be associated with. It was a pageant that every girl had a dream to participating in.
It gave us fame and respect. But as it stands it has lost its sheen to the extent that it is no longer a dream for many young women. I’m experienced and have witnessed the journey of 20 years. So my experience and exposure will help it gain its status.
You are now at the helm and naturally people expect a lot from this new management, what can you promise?
We have a lot in store for this pageant but the most important agenda is to revolutionize it. Our motto is “Urembo na Kazi kwa maendeleo ya Jamii ” meaning “Beauty and Work for community development. Fans, parents, stakeholders and all well wishers were at some point disappointed with previous set up, so we are going to take control of that. No more disappointments.
There already some challenges in partnership and sponsorship of an event of this magnitude. People expect a lot from this new management but it’s impossible to achieve great success without external help from the government, partners and companies.
