The auditions for Miss Rwanda 2021 kicked off virtually this weekend as the search for a replacement for Naomie Nishimwe, the current Miss Rwanda, takes shape.
The auditions started after organisers on February 4, announced slight changes in the format of the 2021 beauty contest that has been stalled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The new system, however, drew mixed reactions and some were even confused about how the whole event will go down.
The New Times caught up with Meghan Nimwiza, the Communications Director, Miss Rwanda Organization, who explained the entire process of this year’s edition and why they deemed it necessary for the contest to go ahead despite pandemic concerns.
First off, there are some people who are wondering why you chose to go ahead with Miss Rwanda 2021 contest despite the pandemic...
"As organisers, we don’t know if the pandemic is here to stay, we don’t know if it’s something that will cool off at some point, but looking at the current situation, we need to learn how to live with this pandemic, how to manoeuver through the whole situation as a country and the world,” she said.
Thinking of the girls who have already registered for Miss Rwanda 2021, most of them, if not all, come to Miss Rwanda looking for some opportunities that Miss Rwanda gives, many of these girls come expecting lots of things from this pageant.
They are looking for many opportunities, especially now that these opportunities include education, we would really be unfair to stop something that so many people are looking forward to.
Keeping people entertained
All Miss Rwanda 2021 key events will be televised. The way this year’s edition is organised will still allow people to enjoy every single moment of the event.
The whole event, from screening aspiring contestants’ videos during the auditions to the grand finale, will be live on our YouTube channel and RBA’s broadcaster.
"The biggest audience we have is not from the venue. The bigger audience we have is from YouTube, people watching TVs,” said Nimwiza.
The ‘bubble’ system
After auditions, contestants who will progress to the pre-selections will be brought together into the bubble.
Under the bubble system, all contestants will be tested for Covid-19 and isolated while training at the boot camp.
Remaining knock-out events namely pre-selection, the boot camp and finals will be conducted in a bubble system, in a bid to ensure that all five phases of the pageant are conducted safely.
The public will follow all the phases via the official broadcaster and Miss Rwanda platforms, meaning that contestants won’t be able to face their supporters face-to-face.
Nimwiza said the new system won’t affect contestants’ performance; it is something they are ready for.
"We would have loved to see the girls morally supported by their friends and families at venues but tough times call for tough decisions. It’s not like these girls will be abandoned because people can still show them support from wherever they are by even voting for them” she said.
Bigger expenses
"I believe we will spend so much more. In fact, like three or four times compared to the previous budget. We’re experiencing very difficult times of the pandemic but we won’t stop empowering young women because it requires us a big budget.
But why would we cancel something that can benefit at least 20 girls? They need these opportunities now more than ever.
Yes the budget will be big but think about the number of girls who will benefit from this platform.”
Media coverage
No media tours for this year’s Miss Rwanda 2021 contestants. However, arrangements will be done for journalists to do interviews with contestants in a virtual format while in a bubble.
Important dates
February 20: Announcing provincial winners live on RTV and Miss Rwanda social media platforms.
February 22- March 6: Voting contestants (both online and via SMS). The online voting will be done on IGIHE’s website while SMS voting will be done via MTN line by typing ‘MISS’ space ‘Number of a contestant’ and send to 1525.
March 3: Miss Rwanda into the Bubble system whereby anyone who is likely to meet Miss Rwanda team will be tested and they will stay together.
Except contestants who will be eliminated from the pre-selection, everybody else will remain in the bubble till the grand finale.
Two girls used to share a hotel room during the boot camp but each of the contestants will this time have their own room to better monitor the pandemic situation.
March 6: Pre-selection
March 7-20: Boot Camp at La Palisse Nyamata
March 20: Grand finale.
How the jury will work
There is a panel of judges who are selecting provincial representatives virtually.
The judges will also be tested and stay in the bubble but, since theirs is an occasional job, they can do their job and go back to their businesses.
"We can’t keep judges into a bubble from the pre-selections till the grand finale. They are doing their job virtually during the pre-selection then we can have them during the pre-selections and the grand finale. They will get tested before they sit at a jury for each of the two crucial stages, and then go back home,” she explained.
The jury will be conducted virtually during the auditions while judges will get a PCR Test 24 hours before they face contestants at the boot camp during the pre-selections and the grand finale.
The grand finale
The staging, the lighting and jury, everything will pretty much be the same.
Contestants will be able to present their projects as it is used to be but the only difference is that the event will be held virtually. People will be able to follow it on Rwanda Television and on our social media handles. It will also be streamed on our YouTube channel.