29 Apr 2015

King Goodwill Zwelithini of South Africa’s Zulu community will no longer officiate at the launching of Miss Africa scheduled for Boipuso Hall in Gaborone on May 9.

Miss Africa’s chief executive officer, Bruce Nkgakile, told the media on Tuesday that the King of the Zulus’ date here collided with critical domestic issues that needed his urgent attention.

Nkgakile said the launch had to be postponed from April 30 following last year's invitation to the king because he was not feeling well. He said they had targeted the king because of his worldwide fame for promoting and being the custodian of culture.

“With the recent uprising and xenophobic attacks, the king will not be able to attend and his visit has been indefinitely postponed,” he said, adding that King Zwelithini was not solely coming for Miss Africa project, but a state visit as well.

On other issues, Nkgakile said they were working on approaching the African Union so that it could officially recognise Miss Africa pagenat and place it under its structures. He said their aim was to fight the challenges of social issues around African countries such as diseases, floods, natural disasters and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Miss Africa judges Gabriel Tlagae, Boingotlo Motlalekgosi and Motlamma Sesinyi said in selecting the contestants for Miss Africa, they would be looking for an African lady with a personality. Ends