In March, less than a month after she was crowned Miss Rwanda 2020, reigning Miss Rwanda Naomie Nishimwe announced that she would independently be responsible for her own management after she parted ways with Rwanda Inspiration Backup, the beauty pageant organisers and managers. The shocking withdrawal put an end to Rwanda Inspiration Backup’s four-year tenure to manage Miss Rwanda projects and participation in international beauty competitions. She rather put her trust in her mother, who she believed would be better positioned to take over the management of her interests and her projects including her winning project on mental health awareness. The decision, however, saw the beauty queen, losing a monthly salary of Rwf800, 000 that she was supposed to get from Miss Rwanda’s sponsors for a period of 12 months. Nishimwe is the second beauty queen to get different management for her Miss Rwanda initiatives after Doriane Kundwa who opted for her own management led by Bruce Twagira after being crowned Miss Rwanda 2015. Her departure from Miss Rwanda organisation’s management drew mixed reactions as people were in support of Nishimwe for opting against spending her reign under Miss Rwanda Organization’s management. Reacting to Nishimwe’s decision, Meghan Nimwiza, the Communications Manager of the Miss Rwanda Organization, was convinced that Nishimwe had the right to find her own management but signaled that the beauty contest organisers were working on reforms around its rules and regulations for a contestant to stick to in future editions. “She [Nishimwe] decided to go her own way because she maybe found it more beneficial for her. And it was her right. The contest’s terms and conditions may change, though,” she explained. While it seemed to be an option in previous editions, to remain under Miss Rwanda Organization’s management or find your management, the organisers have this time set the limits by alerting aspirants that it is now mandatory for the next beauty queen to remain under their management for at least a year. Young women who are registering to compete at this year’s editions are now aware that one of the beauty contest’s conditions is that, “The crowned Miss Rwanda and other title winners will be contracted under the Miss Rwanda Organization for their full year-long reign” Miss Rwanda 2021 crown winner should also be ready to take part in the events that benefit Miss Rwanda Project in the interest of future undertaking due to the nature of her work. This means that only Miss Rwanda Organisation has the right to manage the crown winner for at least twelve months of her reign. Registration is ongoing for aspirants as they prepare for auditions which kick off in Rubavu on Saturday, January 9, to select contestants who will represent the Western Province.
