Malawi’s Miss Universe dream has been thrown into controversy after reigning Miss Malawi Thandi Chisi pulled out of the international pageant.
The withdrawal follows an email in which Chisi informed officials that she had decided not to proceed with her participation in the international pageant.
“After careful consideration, I have decided that I will not be proceeding with participation in the Miss Universe competition,” Chisi wrote in the email seen by Malawi24.
In the correspondence, Chisi cited experiences during her tenure as Miss Malawi which she said had affected her confidence in continuing under the current arrangements.
She also raised unresolved issues surrounding the Beauty and Beautiful campaign, including an outstanding payment.
“In particular, the unresolved issues surrounding the Beauty and Beautiful campaign, including my outstanding payment under that campaign, together with the recent developments involving the campaign, have reinforced my decision,” the email states.
Chisi further said she did not believe it would be appropriate to continue preparations for Miss Universe under the circumstances.
Chief Operations Officer for the Miss Malawi Organisation Godfrey Kambewa confirmed Chisi’s withdrawal in a WhatsApp response to Malawi24.
Kambewa acknowledged that there had been issues.
“Yes, there were issues, but does it mean you turn down national duty?” Kambewa said.
He said the payment had not been finalized at the time, but there had been a commitment to settle it by August 31.
Kambewa said the organization had accepted and respected Chisi’s decision not to participate in Miss Universe.
“I have no comment. It is as it’s written. And I accepted and respected her choice not to participate in Miss Universe,” he said.
Kambewa also ruled out the possibility of Malawi sending another contestant to the competition.
“No one. She is still Miss Malawi and we won’t go to Miss Universe,” he said.
Chisi’s withdrawal means Malawi will not have a representative at this year’s Miss Universe competition.
The Miss Universe competition will therefore proceed without a representative from Malawi.
