Organisers of Miss Rwanda have announced that attention will this time round be turned towards supporting contestants with the most innovative project and the best talent as the beauty pageant looks to bring in more sponsors to successfully extend its platform to empowering more young women. The two new elements, therefore, influenced the increase in Miss Rwanda prizes from seven to nine ahead of the ninth edition of the beauty contest that was launched on Friday, December 11. JUST IN: Registration for Miss Rwanda 2021 opens tonight at 12:00am, the organizers announced in a press conference this morning at @KigaliMarriott. Updates and major changes were also announced. pic.twitter.com/75Un4s5gpQ — The New Times (Rwanda) (@NewTimesRwanda) December 11, 2020 The contestant with the most innovative project will get benefits from Bank of Kigali varrying from annual allowances of Rwf6, 000, 000, while the bank will give her both technical and financial support to successfully implement her project. Meghan Nimwiza, the Spokesperson of the Miss Rwanda Organization, told journalists that the most innovative project will be selected by a team of project analysts after a series of pitching sessions by contestants while at the boot camp. Meanwhile, the most talented contestant will be also be selected by a a designated panel of judges whereby contestants will be required to showcase their talents at the boot camp. The talent winner will get annual allowances of up to Rwf1 800, 000 from HDI Rwanda and will be supported to explore the potential of her talent. “We realised that some contestants had potential talent but had no one to follow up. We will make sure that they reach their dream by linking them with pioneers in the creative industry [depending on her talent] for mentorship,” Nimwiza explained. Registration is already open and only aspirants who meet the requirements will be allowed to contest for the crown, with auditions set to kick off on January 9, and run until February 6, 2021. Making impact Nimwiza also said that they don’t want Miss Rwanda to be just an event but an impactful project that can still attract the attention of the people throughout the whole year, saying that the crown winners’ initiatives should not remain in papers but be implemented to serve the purpose. “What makes you the real Miss Rwanda is not about the crown that you are given but what you serve to the community. That is what we are always looking forward to achieving and what we wish the future Miss Rwanda to emulate,” she said. The winner for Miss Rwanda 2021 will be announced at the grand finale slated for March 20, besides the crown will get monthly allowances of Rwf800, 000 from Miss Rwanda organization and a brand new Hyundai Creta car 2021 version to be offered by Hyundai Rwanda. She will also be offered the latest iPhone version from MTN Rwanda while Africa Improved Foods will support her during implementation. Other benefits include fuel, internet, weekend getaway, and restaurant all of which will be financed by Miss Rwanda sponsors. The first and second runners-up will get annual allowances of Rwf1, 800, 000 from Volcano Express and Bella Flowers, respectively, while Miss Heritage(IGIHE Ltd), Miss Congeniality (Peters Bakers), Miss Photogenic and Miss Popularity (MTN) will get the same allowance from Miss Rwanda Organization sponsors. The latter will also become the brand ambassador of MTN Rwanda. In general, 20 contestants who will be able to make it to the boot camp will be offered a scholarship to study at the University of Kigali.
