Miss Zambia

‘BEAUTY WITH A PURPOSE’

The Mambo Interview - with Miss Zambia UK 2008

She is 21 years old, a final year student of Sports Science at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, and also a beauty queen. Andella Chileshe Matthews, the new Miss Zambia UK is a girl who is determined to do something about the many problems facing African women and children, both here in the UK and in Zambia. In this interview, she tells Mambo Editor Joseph Ochieng about how she plans to do that.

MAMBO: What made you decide to enter the Miss Zambia UK beauty contest?

ANDELLA: The Miss Zambian pageant was founded on the principle of ‘Beauty with a Purpose’, an initiative that uses beauty contests as a way of raising awareness of the hardships faced by Africans, particularly – women and children – as a result of HIV/AIDS. The annual contest is held in memory of all Zambian women who have died of AIDS. This cause is very close to my heart, as I am not only Zambian, but also someone who has lost friends and family members to the disease. I thought it would be a great idea to have the opportunity to help the cause.

MAMBO: And how will you use the title to do charitable work to help people in the Zambian community both here in the UK and back in Zambia?

ANDELLA: Winning the Miss Zambian UK title has opened many doors to me and led me down paths that were previously not accessible to me. I have met several influential people in the short time I have held the title, and I am now in the unique position where people take serious note of what I say. I use my influence to raise awareness of the many challenges that face the Zambian and other Zambian communities in the Diaspora. I am adding my voice to the efforts of individuals and organisations in the attempt to overcome these challenges. I am particularly glad that I can be of use especially to young people, and on that basis, I feel I am a role model to a lot of young people today, many of whom may be facing diverse challenges. I am also glad to know that I can help to raise cash for work with widows and orphans in Zambia.

MAMBO: Do you think that African role models such as beauty queens, pop stars, sportspeople or statesmen have a role in promoting sexual health awareness in their communities?

ANDELLA: Yes. Definitely. Whereas it is true that you don’t have to be famous or a role model to achieve change, in this celebrity-obsessed era, those of us who are in the public limelight are often looked up to, especially by young people. It’s therefore our responsibility to ensure that people get the right message about sexual health and lifestyle. As Miss Zambia, I am now the patron of Positive Runway - the Global Catwalk to Stop the Spread, which is a global HIV/AIDS campaign founded by Perryfield Promotions, organisers of the Miss Zambian UK beauty pageant. Positive Runway aims to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS by using beauty queens, pop stars, models and actors as advocates of the message to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. 

MAMBO: What specific roles and responsibilities come with your title?

ANDELLA: Only a week after I was crowned Miss Zambia UK, I joined the Zambian High Commissioner to the UK as a guest of honour to raise funds at a Contessa Charity Ball in Bournemouth. Contessa is a UK charity that works to improve quality of life for HIV/AIDS orphans and other underprivileged children in Zambia. I am also involved with Sport in Action, another UK-based charity working with children in Zambia and in many other African countries. In April, I will be going to Zambia to work on projects run by Contessa and the All Star Kids. I will also participate in a Sport and HIV Leadership Training for people living with HIV/AIDS organised by Sport in Action Zambia. Finally, I will co-host, along with the Zambian minister for sports, a Sports Tournament and Sports Skills Challenge for children living with HIV/AIDS. All this, in addition to my role as patron of Positive Runway – The Global Catwalk to Stop the Spread of HIV/AIDS.

MAMBO: Any personal sexual health messages for Zambian, and Africans in general, who live in the UK?

ANDELLA: My message is aimed especially to young Africans who are really the future for our continent: Get tested, know your HIV status, and be careful about who you choose as your boyfriend or girlfriend because, unlike other sexually transmitted infections, HIV has no cure. And finally, practice safer sex. Always use the condom. Remember, the condom protects not just yourself, but also your partner. 

Posted On: 16 June 2009 at 03:19PM
Tags: Miss Zambia

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