Dillish Matheus, a 21 year old third year psychology student was crowned first Princess of the Miss University Africa pageant, recently held in Nigeria.The pageant took place from July 28 to August 10 in Edo State, Nigeria. Dillish was also named Miss Pho- togenic and Miss President’s Choice from a pool of 39 other African beauty queens.
18-year-old Rorisang Molefe from Lesetho was crowned Miss University Af- rica. She walked away with a cool US$10 000 [about N$82 642].The excited Dillish told The Youthpaper last week that she had the best experience ever and learned so much about various cultures and herself.Asked how she made it to the pageant, Dillish said she was chosen by Miss Namibia finalist Maria Nepembe to represent.According to her, Maria had the veto to choose who represents Namibia since she was the reigning Miss University.Third of its kind, the pag-eant was held in Benin City. “The City is one of the oldest kingdoms in Africaand we got the opportunity to meet the 80 year-old King and the prince as well. We were showered with beautiful gifts by them,” she said.According to her, during the two week pageant, the contestants had television and radio interviews, and the board of Independent television in Edo state offered her a job.“I can never say enough to express my gratitude to the people of Nigeria and can never thank God enough for the opportunity.”She said the top 10 were judged on questions while the top five were judged on talent.“I was not confident I’d make it to top five because I didn’t have a good talent prepared but I read a good motivational speech and the judges were quite impressed.”Matheus to be a role model to young girls.“I hope I motivate young girls out there to discourage indecent dressing and to stop the bikini pageants, because what really matters is a woman that has beauty and brains, and one that can put pplied knowledge into use,” she added that she would love to see the Miss Namibia pageant become a non-bikini pageant.“I believe a woman does not have to be half naked to show her beauty or worth. I was more than happy to win something because now, a lot of people around Africa know about Namibia, as many of the contestants told me that they had never heard about my country,” Matheus said.Miss University Africa is a non-bikini pageant committed to promoting and celebrating the beauty and innate potential of students on the African continent. It also provides the winner with a platform, through the Miss University Africa Founda- tion, to discuss issues of vital social importance, finding lasting solutions, reaching out to the less privileged and providing assistance.
