Swaziland will not participate in Miss Universe
Miss Swaziland 2012, Ayanda Dube
President of the Miss Universe pageant Paula M. Shugart said Miss Swaziland Ayanda Dube will not be taking part in the Miss Universe finals in December. Shugart ends months of uncertainty surrounding Dube’s participation at the prestigious world event.
She expressed her concern regarding the on-going debate of whether or not Dube will represent the country in the contest. Shugart’s sentiment comes hot in the heels of Dube’s statement, expressing her doubts about her participation. REEMS, an events management wing under REDI headed by Sikhomba Gumbi, awarded a tender to host the Miss Swaziland contest last year, has been at the centre of this debate. The company’s Director Thembayena Dlamini hasn’t been forthcoming with information either. Shugart aptly puts the issue to rest. “I was very disturbed by the article I read in the Swazi Observer about your queen being doubtful about her participation in the pageant. This is why I want to set the record straight. She will not be taking part in the pageant,” she said. She added that after following the story in the local media, she began to wonder if in fact Dube had been deceived by the local pageant organisers or whether or not they were giving her false hopes about her supposed trip to Miss Universe later in the year. Licence Shugart explained that the country cannot participate in the forthcoming pageant because it does not have a licence that qualifies each country represented to join the contest. According to Shugart, this issue has been pending since 1994 when Swaziland was last represented in the Miss Universe pageant. “In 1995, we invited Swaziland to compete in the pageant and no one showed up even though we were made to believe that all was well and there’d be a representative to contest against the other beauties that year,” said the president of the pageant. Shugart went out of her way to apologise to Dube for any inconveniences that this misunderstanding has had on her. “I can imagine the mental and emotional stress this may be causing her. And also I am greatly disappointed at the organisers of the Miss Swaziland pageant for their lack of professionalism in addressing this matter. They are fully aware that in order to join Miss Universe, Swaziland must have obtained a licence so why then are they not coming out in the open?” she said.
Miss Swaziland is confirmed to compete at Miss Universe
Miss Swaziland 2012, Ayanda Dube
The director of the Miss Swaziland Pageant sent a statement to the Swaziland Beauty Pageant Association (SBPA) notifying them that Ayanda Dube would not participate in the Miss World contest but would only take part in the Miss Universe contest. Swaziland last participated at the Miss Universe Pageant in 1994 when the it was held in Manila, Philippines.
There were mixed reactions regarding Swaziland’s return to the contest. A majority felt that Ayanda has a slim chance in making the finals at Miss Universe as opposed to Miss World. SBPA President Tony Dlamini said they still expect Miss Swaziland to participate in the Miss World contest as opposed to Miss Universe. “The competition in the Miss Universe contest is very tough whereas she stands a chance in the Miss World contest,” he stated.
PAGEANT EXTRA 