Some of the finalists among the best seven pose during the miss Malaika beauty contest in Juba [©Gurtong]
By Rachel Alek
JUBA, 31st October 2011 [Gurtong] - South Sudan’s selection of the 2011 Miss Malaika marked its preliminary procession with 22 beauty pageants competing for the event last Friday at Nyakuron Cultural Center in Juba.
Following critical judgment after hours of different fashions and styles showed, 15 ladies emerged victorious and qualified for finals due to be held in early December 2011.
Thousands of guests convened to witness the fashion show organized by the South Sudan Artist Association, (SSAA)
The 22 contestants hit the run way with cat walking skills while dressed in a wide range of costumes with others putting on their traditional wears as a portrait of the different South Sudanese traditional cultures.
This is the sixth South Sudan Miss Malaika held in the country since it started years back after the signing of the expired historic Comprehensive Peace Agreement, (CPA) in 2005.
Rachel Angeth, a lady from Lakes State took the last year South Sudan Miss Malaika title as the beauty queen of the year. She walked away with a car, laptop among other assorted presents awarded to her.
Lam Tungwar, the Chairperson of the SSAA said that, the yearly Miss Malaika South Sudan is an initiative aimed at empowering women and promoting the South Sudan Culture.
Mrs. Amer Manyok, Managing Director of Kuch Resort Hotel who was the Guest of Honour during the event, congratulated efforts made towards empowering women, saying women were the most marginalized community in the fledging nation of South Sudan.
Mrs. Manyok urged for comprehensive support initiatives for women in South Sudan both morally, materially and in all aspects. She urged the governments of South Sudan and the State governments to invest in the Miss Malaika initiative, a move she said will open many opportunities for girls.
Miss Malaika South Sudan beauty contest is conducted yearly with an aim to help South Sudanese girls to discover their beauty and talents. Contestants are drawn from all over the 10 States of South Sudan.
Winners are awarded presents ranging from cars, computers and are exposed to opportunities that target women empowerment in the country. The pageants also have a chance of travelling abroad to contest for big beauty contests such as Miss Earth and Miss World.