Tanzanite auction highlights Tanzania’s Miss World hosting readiness

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA made history last night at the Miss World Beauty with a Purpose Charity Gala Dinner in Vietnam, where a precious Tanzanite gemstone was sold for 10,000 US dollars (about 26.4m/-) at an auction held to support disadvantaged children and children with disabilities in Vietnam.

The Tanzanite was purchased by a representative of the Vietnamese hosts as a gesture of support for Tanzania, which will host the Miss World Festival next year.

Speaking after the auction, the Director of Arts at the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Emmanuel Ishengoma, expressed Tanzania’s readiness to host the world.

He also invited stakeholders in the beauty industry and Miss World participants to visit the country in large numbers when the competition is held in Tanzania next year.

“I am delighted to invite you all to Tanzania and am sure you are going to have a lot to see. I think you are going to be tired by the end of the festival, but I am sure you are going to be happy when you leave,” said Ishengoma.

Ishengoma said that, the event demonstrated Tanzania’s growing presence on the international Miss World platform, bringing together the country’s Tanzanite wealth, tourism and global image, while also highlighting the Beauty with a Purpose initiative’s commitment to using the Miss World platform to bring positive change to communities.

Miss World Tanzania, Latricia Ian, who is representing the country at the ongoing Miss World competition in Vietnam, also highlighted Tanzania’s beauty and natural resources, including the rare and valuable Tanzanite gemstone, which is found only in Tanzania.

“Today I have just brought one piece of Tanzanite to Vietnam, but perhaps next year you are all invited to our beautiful land and you can collect as many as you want,” said Miss Ian.

On her part, Tanzania’s National Miss World organising committee member in Vietnam, Bernice Fernandes, said only a few days remained before the final stages of the global competition.

She said Tanzania, through the committee, is continuing to gain experience in organising the major international event that is set to take place in the country next year.

“Tanzania, we are excited to host the world next year. Miss World Festival is coming to Tanzania. We are so excited, and we are eager to learn from the experience and see how Miss World is being organised and how we are going to embrace Miss World,” said Fernandes.

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The delegations accompanying Miss World Tanzania, Latricia Ian, at the competition include Tanzania’s national organising committee members in Vietnam, led by the Director of Arts at the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Ishengoma.

Also accompanying her are National Director of Miss World Tanzania Mustafa Hassanali, and Project Manager Nzonesta Jekonia.