Miss Ayor Makur Chuot (carrying pot) with other contestants. [© Barchoch Tut Jing]
By Barchoch Tut Jing
04 April 2010 - Miss Chuot entered the fashion show with knowledge and confidence to win the title. “I am from Western Australia. I am so excited to be here. I think Western Australia will win it”, Miss Chuot said earlier in the show.
During the show the girls were assessed on catwalk, knowledge of their surrounding and confidence. Ayor was asked of one thing she could not tolerate: “racism”, she said. What makes a great woman? “A woman acts as a role model, a respect icon, caretaker in the house and a teacher”, explained one of the contestants.
Another said the best advice she ever had from her mother was “share with other young people with confidence in popular events”.
One of the contestants described Miss South Sudan Australia as “life changing experience for young girls” and also warned the girls to stick to Sudanese culture.
Miss South Sudan beauty pageant is an appealing event and loved by many young girls who are down to earth for fashion admiration. Miss South Sudan Australia has since been gaining international recognition.
Ajak Wuol Deng, the winner of 2009 Miss South Sudan contested in International Fashion Show held in New York last year. Miss Deng is hailed as the next Naomi Campbell by Australian media. She is modeling outside Australia currently.
Some contestants in Miss South Sudan competed for popularity. This reporter caught up with Adongwei Majak Chut who was one of the top three in the 2009 contest, during the recent Miss South Sudan show.
She said the benefit of Miss South Sudan is “you get known”. Miss Majak spent 700 US Dollars for all materials and the make up. Last year, tickets were going for 30 US Dollars but rose to between 35 and 40 US Dollars for the just concluded event and this is causing concern. Some fear next year it will hit 50 US Dollars a ticket.
“This is too expensive for the girls and the families. Miss South Sudan should be a community thing not for profit”, explained Mabor Majur who attended the contest. “We know cost of organising this is too much for organisers but they should look for sponsors and approach the Sudanese community members for donations”, concurred Nyuol Madut. “Quality of audition requires improvement”, he added.
The cost was not the only issue but the event was affected by time management and the organisers were also accused of discrimination.
“The time was too short, not all performers were allowed to perform”, said Nhial Mabor.
On the issue of discrimination, a young girl only identified as Nancy said that contestants should be chosen from different back-grounds, saying that it should not be Dinka and Nuer affair.
Nyuol thought the solution to this is to send message out to each and every Sudanese community for information and inclusiveness.
Many young girls also felt that Miss South Sudan Australia is not inclusive enough and so would love to see some changes. The not so tall girls complained of being discriminated against and termed the function “not open for everyone”.
However, Tut Pal, Miss South Sudan 2009 member of the judgment panel, in defense explained that the beauty industry adore height as one of its selection criteria.
Nonetheless, the organisers need to take steps for some improvements. Miss South Sudan loyalists like Adongwei Majak Chut want to see the involvement of audience by voting and determine who the winner is and not leave the matter in the hands of judges. Last year, one of the contestants had commanded lead in the crowd but failed to make it to the top and instead fell behind the winner.
Some recommendations were made on time management, cost, too many shows, starting the show on time, reduced ticket fare and inclusiveness to allow participation of most if not all South Sudanese communities.
Also gracing the occasion were young rappers who performed conveying peace message such as “cease fighting Sudanese because young people like me are victims of war”.
“There is a lot more to this, it is not just a fashion show”, said Goanar Tongyiek Tut, co-founder of Miss South Sudan, Australia.
The program was well attended and other winners for the day were: Nasir Bichiok Wan (second runner up) and Veronica Manoj (third runner up).