Eight turn up for Miss Rwanda auditions in Rubavu

ONLY eight girls turned up for the Miss Rwanda 2015 auditions in Rubavu District, Northern Province on Sunday. At the end of the day, five girls were selected to compete in the most coveted beauty pageant at the national level.

Monday, January 12, 2015
Top five finalists: From left (behind) Edna Darlene Gasana,Colombe Umutoni,Vannesa Mpogazi,Sabrina Kalisa Ihozo and Flora Umutoniwase

ONLY eight girls turned up for the Miss Rwanda 2015 auditions in Rubavu District, Northern Province on Sunday. At the end of the day, five girls were selected to compete in the most coveted beauty pageant at the national level.

This was the second day of the countrywide search for Miss Rwanda after successful preliminary auditions in Musanze District, last Saturday.

The finalists from Rubavu District pose for the photo with the Minister for Sports and Culture Amb. Joseph Habineza.

The five finalists who will represent Rubavu District at the national contest stage are; Flora Umutoniwase, Vanessa Mpogazi, Darlene Gasana, Sabrina Igihozo Kalisa and Colombe Umutoni. Cindy Murangwa was picked as a wild card.

The contestants were interviewed by a panel of judges that consisted of gospel musician Aline Gahongayire, John Bunyeshuri of Kigali Fashion Week and Mike Karangwa, a renowned showbiz personality.

They are all eager to battle for the Miss Rwanda 2015 crown.

"The girls were brilliant and beautiful but unfortunately we had to select only five.  We were all independent and we managed to get the right girls,” said Munyeshuri, the head of the judges.

Vanessa Mpogazi during the Q&A session.

Vanessa Mpogazi, who was auditioning for the second time, said,” This is an opportunity to showcase my talent. I want to represent my Province very well. I’m innovative, creative and I want to inspire the youth. I am very glad for this opportunity to compete for the Miss Rwanda 2015.”

The auditions in the Northern Province were graced by the Minister for Sports and Culture (MINISPOC) Amb. Joseph Habineza, Lauren Makuza, the head of culture at MINISPOC and Miss Supranational Rwanda 2012, Sabrina Simbi.     

One of the finalists strikes a great sitting posture.
Sabrina Igihozo Kalisa takes the measurements during the auditions.

In his remarks, Habineza encouraged young Rwandan women to take part in the auditions. He also comforted those who were not selected. "Don’t feel defeated because the defeated ones are those who didn’t participate.

This happens in every competition; you lose today and by unisales" href="">win tomorrow. The key thing is to pick a lesson from this. You’re the ambassadors of culture.”

Provincial auditions

At every province, five finalists are expected to be picked before the final pre-selection, where only fifteen will be selected to enter the Miss Rwanda 2015 boot camp and be prepared for the ostentatious closing finale, where only one contestant will be crowned Miss Rwanda 2015.

One of the contestants gets a YES from Judge John Bunyeshuri.

by unisales" href="">Participants are encouraged to apply online through the Miss Rwanda Website.

This year’s theme is ‘Beauty, Brains and Culture’. Contestants are supposed to be Rwandan by nationality and living in the country, aged between 18 and 24 years, weighing between 45kg to 65kg, fluent in Kinyarwanda and English or French.

Grand by unisales" href="#">Prizes

The winner of Miss Rwanda 2015 will take home a brand new SUZUKI SWIFT (2014 model), a monthly salary of USD 1000 for the whole year and, will become a brand ambassador of AIRTEL.

The judges (L-R), Mike Karangwa, Aline Gahongayire and John Bunyeshuri.

She will also engage in different activities that will entail extensive travel around Rwanda and the world as an ambassador for her country, as well as charity work and most importantly she will act as a role model for the young women within the Rwandan society.

The Miss Rwanda 2015 team registers a contestant during the auditions in Rubavu District. (All photos by Plaisir Muzogeye)

Miss Rwanda is a platform for women empowerment. The 2015 pageant is organised by The Ministry of Sports and Culture, in conjunction with Rwanda Inspiration back up.

The grand finale will be held at Kigali Serena Hotel on February 21.