Malaika gears for Miss World contest

Unlike previous local contestants, Malaika will not go to the world beauty grand finale with a portfolio that talks of numerous donations of clothes and food she made to the less fortunate in society.
She will instead, take with her to the ramp, a water and sanitation project that has changed the livelihoods of once marginalised communities.

The project seeks to make clean water accessible to people at community, provincial level and national level.
“Water is a life-sustaining resource which should be accessible to everyone in society,” Malaika said.

Today, the project is up and running thanks to V&W Engineering, who partnered Malaika in ensuring that new boreholes were sunk in various parts of the country while those that were not functional were rehabilitated.
Not only has the water project improved the living standards of ordinary Zimbabweans through provision of clean water but also it has had far-reaching effects on the economy in that more people are now into agriculture.

DISCUSS THIS STORY ON FACEBOOK

In line with this, Malaika believes everything starts from a clean environment, from tourism to economic growth, which is the source of the Zimbabwean pride.
“Quite honestly, people enjoy life in a clean environment, with the influx of tourists to Zimbabwe there is growth in the economy and there is also growth in other sectors,” the 19-year-old beauty said.

She said the project was like teaching people how to fish because water sustains life and more than feed a man just for a day.
“I managed to raise funds for the project but then the breakthrough came when I partnered V&W Engineering who have been providing borehole pumps as well as shallow boreholes for at least 250 people in a village.
“Imagine what this could mean if there were more boreholes in a village, this means that water woes would be a thing of the past,” she said.

In addition to this, ACF, a French organisation, was commissioned to build at least 13 500 Blair toilets throughout Zimbabwe as part of her campaign.
As she prepares to leave for London on October 16, 2011 to take part in the Miss World pageant, Malaika is happy that she used her title to reach out and touch many Zimbabweans.
The actual Miss World pageant is scheduled for November 6, 2011.

Asked how far she has gone about with her preparations, the delectable Malaika said she was polishing up her act.
“It’s been amazing representing Zimbabwe at all levels and I must say I’m now focusing on Miss World,” she enthused.
Malaika said was eyeing not just the Miss World title but also other fringe titles that are held in the run-up to the Miss World finale.

She is gunning for the Miss Beauty with a Purpose, Miss Fitness, Miss Talent, Miss Beach Beauty and Miss Top Model. Of the five, Malaika says she stands a good chance of making it big in three categories such as Miss Top Model, Miss Beauty with a Purpose and the big crown. With her svelte figure and well toned arms, Malaika weighs 62kg, with a waistline of 27 inches, a size 32 bust and a hip size of 96 inches.
However, her greatest asset is her height – she stands at a towering 1,82 metres.

That will make her stand out from a host of other contestants and, of course, her natural African beauty.
“A lot of people say they get intimidated by my height but I think it’s the way I’m confident about my skin. I love my body and I just feel comfortable whether in shorts or swimwear,” she said.
With regard to her grooming and ramp etiquette, Malaika is receiving support from her agency Zim Gossip Models, where she practises catwalking at least twice a week.

Having mastered the art of catwalking, Malaika will use whatever knowledge she has when she competes in the Miss Top Model.
“I believe if I win the title I would be able to use it in pursuing a career in high fashion industry. However, I want to be visible in all the contests just like Miss USA did last year” she said.
She is also getting etiquette and high fashion lessons from former Miss Malaika Brita Masalethulini.

Obviously, she is also on a specific diet to keep herself fit and healthy all the time.
“Basically I would say I am eating healthy. This means that instead of taking platefuls of rice or sadza I would take a bowl of fruits and drinking lots of water for my skin,” she said.

Malaika recently held a successful dinner to raise funds for her tour of duty.
Besides the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and African Will, who are some of her major sponsors, Malaika has received a boost from Bisma, a fashion designer, and Joyce Chimanye of Zuva.
Bisma will bring in Western flair into the garments while Joyce will make her African costumes.

Keith Zenda, an acclaimed fine artist, will make a painting, which will be given to Miss World as a gift.
Zenda’s pieces are found in Germany, Scotland and South Africa, to mention just a few countries.

Ever since Malaika landed the Miss Zimbabwe crown she says she has been able to change the perception of pageantry.
“I would say that I managed to show girls or young women that you can have a career in modelling. I also want to continue advocating for a cleaner Zimbabwe which is our birthright and pride.
“I want people to have their dignity back and be able to be proud of our country and it goes back to the core aspect of my project about a clean environment,” she said.