ZAMBIAN BEAUTY QUEEN WITHDRAWS FROM MISS WORLD PAGEANT

REIGNING Miss Zambia Natasha-Joan Mapulanga has withdrawn from the prestigious Miss World competition taking place in India due to lack of sponsorship.

Over 100 beauty queens are currently representing their countries by competing for the Miss World title which commenced on February 17 in India.

The 27-year-old Zambian beauty queen who spent months preparing and investing in the pageant for her participation, could not make it because the Miss Zambia organization went mute on her as the scheduled day for commencement of the prestigious Miss World competition drew closer.

According to Natasha’s manager Love Mundi, the reigning Miss Zambia could not make it because Miss Zambia 1992 Elizabeth Mwanza told her to “sit this one out”.

“As the manager of Miss Zambia Natasha-Joan Mapulanga, it is with profound regret that and disappointment that I must announce her inability to participate in the Miss World 2024 competition. This announcement comes in the wake of a decision communicated to Natasha by Ms. Elizabeth Mwanza of Miss Zambia organisation on February 17 2024, stating to her that ‘let’s sit this one out’.

Prior to this announcement Ms. Mwanza was nowhere to be seen for a week and her contact phones were switched off, a directive that has not only derailed months of meticulous preparations but also shuttered the dreams and aspirations of a dedicated and deserving young woman,” Mundi said.

Mundi said since her coronation as Miss Zambia in June 2022, Natasha had embroiled the spirit and values expected of the title.

Mundi added that the absence of support from the Miss Zambia organization was a recurring issue that had plagued many models before Natasha.

“This pattern of neglect and lack of support undermines what Miss Zambia title should represent and the opportunities it should afford to its holders,” Mundi said.

Natasha is a Zambian beauty queen who is passionate about social welfare and hails from Lusaka.

Not new to the pageantry, she holds various titles such as Miss Teen Zambia 2013, Miss Freedom Zambia 2014 first princess, Miss Zambia 2014 second runner-up, Miss Heritage Zambia 2016. In 2017, she represented Zambia at Miss Heritage Global 2016/17 and finished in the Top 15. In 2019, she competed at Miss Universe Zambia 2019 but failed to make it to top 3.

In November 2021, she graduated from Mulungushi University in Kabwe, with A Bachelor’s Degree In International Relations and Development. At Miss Zambia 2022, Natasha bested eight other finalists to win the national crown.

The contestants who competed at Miss Zambia 2022 included Celine Mbunda, Joyce Mwansa, EutraySimwatachela, Naboonga Mulenga, Natasha Mapulanga, FebbyNg’andwe, Venus Vlahakis, Nancy Mwansa.