Gone are the days when the modelling industry was deemed to be a hub of immorality with the introduction of some positivity oriented beauty contests.
Last week, Malawi witnessed a different taste of modelling in Diva Fame Photogenic contest, a brainchild of Fame international which partnered Rab Processors Limited.
During prize presentation ceremony which was held at Rab Group premises in Maselema Blantyre on Friday, top three models were awarded. They managed to convince the Facebook community and the judging panel with their touches of excellency.
Grace Banda, a business management student at Polytechnic, came first and was presented with a K300, 000 cheque, Tendai Skhanda who is a designer cum musician was recognized as the 1st princes and she received a K200, 000 prize while another Polytechnic student Thethani Thawe claimed the 2nd princes crown which had the attachment of a K100, 000 cheque.
The contest was uniquely designed in a way that it involved Facebook users voting for their favourite models through liking their pictures. Those with most likes proceeded to the next phase of the competition until it was narrowed down to three models.
The judging panel was involved through assigning tasks to the models so as to test their levels of patience, confidence and intelligence among others. By the end of it all, the judges were convinced that the trio deserved the honours.
According to organisers, the competition was aimed at motivating the youth to keep themselves busy. Considering that Diva Fame Photogenic was free from nudity, it proved to be a motivating tool to the youth.
Rab Group pumped in K1.6 million towards prizes and administration of the competition. The company`s sales and distribution manager Douglas Mandala expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the competition.
“We are satisfied with the results and we feel this competition will not benefit only the winner but also motivate young models into taking commercial modeling as a career,” said Mandala
One of the officials of the contest, Mr Rodrick Mulonya, said they are looking to extending it to rural areas. He argued that models can be found in every part of the country be it in rural or urban areas.
The winner, Grace Banda was all smiles on the day and promised to use this opportunity in promoting Rab`s Diva brand and motivate the young ones. The Diva brand accommodates body lotions among others.
