Kigali to host next year’s regional pageant

Hundreds of Kigali City residents and several senior government officials yesterday converged at Nyamirambo Regional Stadium to welcome Rwanda’s Cynthia Akazuba who was over the weekend crowned Miss East Africa.

Akazuba who has hitherto been Miss Kigali, a crown she assumed in 2007 as Kigali celebrated its 100 years of existence, won the regional pageant on Friday in a contest that was held in Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam.
"This is an indication that Rwanda’s youth can compete in many aspects outside Rwanda  and win great things by representing their country,” said an ecstatic Aisa Kirabo Kakira the Kigali City mayor during her speech.

Akazuba said she did not expect to win because she faced tight competition from all the other 28 girls that were competing, specifically noting that she was afraid of the girl who represented Kenya who she thought was going to win the title.

"I kept discipline in the camp and didn’t complain and made sure that I represent my country to the best of my ability,” Akazuba recounted.

She also asked Rwandans to help support her while she travels to promote Rwanda wherever she will be during her reign.

Akazuba’s new title won her a variety of prizes including a Toyota Celica, a job as an east African ambassador and a life insurance.

It was also revealed that Kigali had been selected as the venue for the next Miss East Africa beauty pageant which will be held next year.

Judges will be here next year in January to inspect the existing facilities to see if they measure up to the standards.

It was the first time that Rwanda has participated in the event and therefore historical that the winner came from Rwanda.

"East African Integration is not just about trade or politics but also about social integration in talent and sports,” Minister Joseph Habineza said.

He also added that it isn’t only beauty but wisdom that can make people achieve their dreams as Akazuba had proved.

The evening was lit by music from Project fame winner Alpha along his counterpart Christian, who represents the new crop of Rwandan talent at the just-concluded reality show held in Nairobi Kenya.

Ends