By Jimmy Chazama
On a Saturday night when Lilongwe was crammed with events, 26-year-old Thandie Chisi carved her own history when she was crowned Miss Malawi 2025.
Chisi, a sociology graduate from the University of Malawi in Zomba, outclassed 12 other finalists to claim the crown during a red-carpet event held at Pearl Convention Centre.
The newly crowned queen, who is the founder of Sustainable Fashion and Women’s Empowerment, won the hearts of judges, who included Prophetess Mary Bushiri, Namibian model Luis Munana and Miss Malawi 2017 Cecilia Khofi.
“Glory be to God almighty for this feat. It was not easy because my mother was also unwell during this period but God took control of everything,” Chisi, who made it to the top five and then top three, said.
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The queen walked away with a K50 million prize package powered by Goshen City.
The prize package includes a K30 million cash prize, K10 million for personal expenses, a fully paid one-year apartment in Area 43, Lilongwe, and another K10 million dedicated to the newly established Miss Malawi Foundation.
“Becoming Miss Malawi has been my childhood dream and now I have achieved it. My focus will be on projects that empower young people, women and girls,” Chisi, who takes over the crown from Miss Malawi 2022 Jescar Mponda, said.
Her first and second princess are Ireen Navicha—daughter to Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Mary Navicha, who was present during the grand finale—and Tina Mkombezi, respectively.
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The announcement of the winner, however, took a long time before host of the last part, Nicole Kamwendo, did the honours close to midnight.
The contestants treated patrons to a performance before parading in different categories, including evening wear, with the top five and three responding to questions from the judges.
The beauty pageant’s board chairperson Prophetess Mary Bushiri hailed all the contestants for putting up impressive performances.
“It was a well-organised event. The winner stood out and truly deserves the crown,” she said.
Miss Malawi Chief Executive Officer Bernadette Mweso described the pageant as a success and welcomed the new queen.
“The judges did an excellent job. We are excited to work with the new queen and we will mentor her to carry out her duties effectively,” Mweso said.
The evening also saw memorable highlights, including a catwalk by former Miss Malawi queens, among them Edna Akuda, the first Miss Malawi [1964].
Other prominent figures that attended the beauty pageant included Mary Chilima, wife of the late former vice president Saulos Chilima, Tadala Chihana, wife to Second Vice President Enock Chihana, and former minister of Tourism Vera Kamtukule.
There were also music performances on the night.
The performers included Tay Grin, who also dished out a Miss Malawi theme song, Eli Njuchi and Emmie Deebo.
