 The Brain Child of three amazing women, the first ever Miss Zambia International was held on 28th October in Atlanta Georgia. “The idea came to us three years ago when we were helping out on another international pageant for Liberia right here in Atlanta. We started throwing around ideas of holding something like that for Zambians.” Mutinta Makoza, one of the founders explains. But they didn’t simply want to do a pageant show, they wanted to contribute something more. They decided that instead of simply providing entertainment to the Zambians in the States, they would make it a charity event that would benefit the less fortunate back home as well. Every year, the pageant will adopt two orphanages in Zambia to support. This year, they adopted The Nyumba Yanga Home of Joy Orphanage in Lusaka and Ubumi Orphanage in Copperbelt.
Zambians traveled from all over the United States for this chance to come together for one cause. People came from as far as Chicago, Los Angeles, and a group of four guys even flew in from Canada. “This is the first major Zambian event to be held in the States,” One of the guys from Toronto told me. “Of course I had to come. Plus Danny and JK are here. It’s just a pity no one told them to bring us a few bottles of Mosi.” He added with a grin. “I wasn’t going to miss this for the world.” Mubita Nawa, who had flown in from Texas with his family, told me. “It is so rare that Zambians gather together over here [in the US]. I wanted to be a part of it, to show my support for such a good cause.”
The Ngosa Brothers opened with a word of prayer, then with our hands on our hearts, led us in a heartfelt rendition of the National Anthem like I have never heard before. But this was only the beginning of what was going to be a Zambian feast of celebration. The entertainment of the evening included songs by the Ngosa Brothers, JK and Danny, who was making is American debut. They did not disappoint, as the audience surged to its feet each time the singers took to the stage. The DJ behind the scene was a guy called Will2K who creatively mixed Beyonce’s and Justin Timberlake’s sound tracks with JK’s songs.
The pageant had seven contestants: Evita Phanor, Sara Pandor, Lynn Chinene, Progress McCarthy, Nakabinga Katundula, Mwiinga Lishebo and Mwaka Chuuya. To be eligible to compete, one has to be Zambian, or have at least one parent born in Zambia. Part of the prizes for the winner included a laptop computer, a round trip to anywhere within the continental US, a free model portfolio and $500 cash, among other things. The pageant included formal and traditional wear, a talent showcase, where the contestants danced, sang or presented a speech. They also had to answer a question from the judges. In an effort to be impartial, the judges were drawn from prominent Africans, with only two of them being from Zambia.
At the end of the evening, as the hour drew closer to midnight, Nakabinga Katundula was crowned as the first Miss Zambia International. Over the next few weeks, she will choose an issue confronting Zambia that she will support or defend throughout the year of her reign.
The only complaints of the evening was that the event started over an hour late. Another complaint was that Danny only performed two songs. “Me I flew in just for Danny and JK. I came for them. The Pageant was just a mbasela, but I feel a bit cheated.” Matthew Sakala from Los Angeles complained. JK performed a total of three songs, while Danny performed only twice.
Although we had gathered to watch a pageant and be entertained by music from back home, Margaret Phiri reminded us that as Zambians, we had a duty to help those of our people less fortunate. By the end of the evening, $1,550 had been raised for the two charities.
If you are interested in making a contribution, please contact Margaret Phiri, Mutinta Mazoka or Aretha Sisa at:
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. For any contribution of $50 or more, your name will be inscribed into one of the bricks in the wall at the Nyumba Yanga Home of Joy Orphanage. Ed's note: Visit the gallery to view photographs taken at the Miss Zambia International 2006 pageant.
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