Miss Rwanda 2018 finale is on today

By: TIMES REPORTER

PUBLISHED: February 24, 2018 

The contestants during a written exam at boot camp in Nyamata. Net photos

All is set for the 2018 Miss Rwanda grand finale tonight at the iconic Kigali Convention Centre auditorium at 5pm.

Among the surprises at this year’s edition is Sonia Rolland, a Rwandan-French actress and Miss France 2000, who will be on the panel of judges. Rolland jetted into the country on Friday morning and was received by outgoing Miss Rwanda, Elsa Iradukunda, upon her arrival at Kigali International Airport.

It will be Rolland’s second time to be on the panel of judges at this beauty contest. Her first time was in 2009 when Grace Bahati was crowned Miss Rwanda.

The 20 girls who qualified for the two-week intensive boot camp at Golden Tulip La Pallise Hotel in Nyamata will compete for the coveted crown.

Miss Rwanda 2017, Elsa Iradunkunda (right), welcomes Sonia Rolland at Kigali International Airport on Friday morning.

The winner will take home a brand new Suzuki Baleno courtesy of Rwanda Motors and will earn a monthly salary of Rwf800,000 courtesy of Cogebanque. She will also get a package of additional prizes that include cosmetics, and air tickets to international beauty contests from RwandAir, among other goodies from different sponsors.

Meanwhile, as the finale closes in, anxiety sets in. Who will walk away with the crown?

Visiting boot camp on Friday, every contestant carried high hopes of being crowned Miss Rwanda tonight.

19-year-old Shanitah Umunyana says that the boot camp equipped her with several lessons that this will not only help her if crowned Miss Rwanda, but with life in general.

Umanyana’s sentiments are shared by 18-year-old Natacha Ursule Irebe.

“It’s been two weeks of hard work, learning and more learning. Making friends was great but most importantly, the lessons we learned will help us in our respective endeavours after Miss Rwanda,” Irebe says.

Liliane Uwase Ndahiro said the time spent in Nyamata was to bring girls up to speed on what is happening in various fields like tourism, national history, youth empowerment, technology, sports and culture, among others.

“Perhaps the most challenging part was adapting to sleeping late because of the assignments and waking up as early as 6am to jog,” Uwase says.

Jordan Mushambokazi says the most difficult moment for her was dancing sessions.

“Dancing is not really my thing. It has been very hard for me to try to harmonise my moves with the rest of the girls because we have to dance together at some point. But I am doing better now,” Mushambokazi says.

Fiona Uwase and Karen Umuhoza say they miss home and “can’t wait to see family and friends.”

On Thursday, the contestants sat for a written test to assess their knowledge about different government programmes, the vision and mission of the Miss Rwanda beauty pageant and their role in society.

Yesterday, they had an oral test that was moderated by Rolland and other judges. Results from both written and oral pre-judgement will determine the contestants who make it to the top 10. The results will be announced during this evening’s grand finale.

How the girls faired in boot camp will increase their chances of succeeding reigning Miss Rwanda, Iradukunda. And this time around, the runners up will be reduced to two from three.

Rwanda Inspiration Backup are the organisers of the annual beauty pageant.

http://www.newtimes.co.rw/section/read/230121/