Miss University of Zambia (UNZA) 2007 was an entertainment with a difference. Young people came from different parts of the capital Lusaka to witness the crowning of the new queen. Held on December 7, 2007, the event was altogether different from those held in the past....the organizing committee decided to give it a challenging theme: 'Stand Up and Speak Out against Poverty'.

Information on MDGs and speaking out to demand accountability from national leadership was given out at the enterance to all who attended. The MDG Campaign/GCAP Zambia assisted in judging the contestants of the beauty pageant, provided material for the students and everybody present as well as the banners around the venue to give it a 'stand up presence'.    

The beauty pageant had eleven contestants who kicked off their cat walk with a Candle Light Stand Up Session to emphasize concerns as outlined in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). After showcasing a variety of their outfits, the contestants were each required to wear and model in outfits that spoke of the MDGs and thereafter explain the meaning of either the colours or design of the outfit; questions around fighting poverty and MDGs were also later asked to each of them, one at a time as they modeled onto stage. What a challenge that was....everybody waited to see what type of outfits would come out of a thought around poverty eradication....and they did it...

Goal number 4, Reducing Child Mortality, won the new Miss UNZA her title. Her satin and net dress was made from a combination of 4 colours: blue, white, red and black. Accompanying this outfit, was a food basket she carried in one hand.      

Mayuya, who was crowned Miss UNZA 2007 and has since joined the Zambian Campaign as Ambassador on MDGs, explained her outfit as follows: "the black stands for the African continent, the white for safe motherhood. The blue colour and net signifies clean, safe drinking water and the importance of using insecticide treated mosquito nets to protect against malaria. The red speaks of the deadly HIV/AIDS and the food in the basket stresses the need for a healthy, balanced diet if the world's children are to be kept healthy....".

Children are the most affected by these vices, and what a way Mayuya would have combined all these issues in one outfit. Having been one of the judges, i couldn't say more.....

Many are the times, especially on issues of national development, that young people are considered the least important in the discourse. I guess its time we found new avenues to reach all sectors of our nations to ensure everybody takes part....after all, isn't the future of every nation all about the young people of today!