Rosemary's Interview as Miss Zambia UK

Exclusively from Info@rosemarychileshe.com
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1. How did you feel being crowned Miss Zambia UK 2003?

I was quite overwhelmed though I knew I had what it took to get the crown, it is crucial to have self belief, if you believe you will succeed then that happens and vice versa. We all have to realise that our attitude or take on life has a lot of impact and is the force behind the results we achieve. I worked really hard for it, I dedicated about 8 weekends travelling from Manchester to London for rehearsals, all very costly, however no regrets. The day of the pageant was very exciting, though it was such a long day. When the show started, for me it was a case of having fun no matter what, as no one ever knows of what the outcome will be, it is always best in my book, to have fun and enjoy every aspect regardless.

2. What was going through your mind when the crowning was taking place?

I was the first contestant in the line up, during the crowning, whatever nerves I might have had, all disappeared. The first princess was called out shortly after the second princess had been announced. There was a huge pause before the winner was revealed, all I could hear from the audience was 'contestant number 1, number 1' and then my name was called as the winner, I can not quite explain the feeling I had, not everything had sunk in yet and I was very exhausted. I did not give anything much thought as shortly after being crowned, I had to do press interviews and photoshoots and of course meet the audience etc. this was about 1AM!!

3. What was the reaction of the audience?

I had a huge crowd of supporters, the reaction from everyone assured me the judges had made the right choice. In choosing a winner, the Judges were looking out for the following - Character, Culture, Intelligence, Ambition, Confidence and Beauty, surely all of this evident….is it not??. I like to believe everyone was happy for me, I always think the best of everyone, nothing to do with being naïve, It is always best to be humble in your surroundings.

4. What is Miss Zambia UK about?

Miss Zambia UK Beauty Pageant was started in 1998 to provide eligible young Zambian ladies studying in the UK, an opportunity to represent Zambia at the Miss World contest. The first prize includes a return air ticket to Lusaka, to enable the winner to participate in the national contest, in order to qualify for entry to the Miss World contest. The Beauty Pageant celebrates the beauty and inner qualities of every Zambian woman. The pageant gives us an opportunity to go back to our roots to revisit, learn and celebrate our cultural heritage. Yet, in celebrating the Zambian woman, we remember all Zambian women who have died of HIV/AIDS and dedicate the Pageant to their memory. In so doing we are reminded of our responsibility to the children that these Zambian women have left behind.

In terms of the theme 'BEAUTY WITH A PURPOSE '
Miss Zambia UK Beauty Pageant is a community development initiative ultimately aimed at charitable and community works. The pageant is held in Memory of all Zambian women who have died of HIV/AIDS and a percentage of the proceeds are donated to charities for HIV/AIDS orphans in Zambia. Once the winner has been crowned Miss Zambia UK, she utilises her title and influence to raise funds for HIV/AIDS orphans in Zambia during the period of her reign.

In 1998 the organisers adopted the Kalingalinga HIV/AIDS orphanage as a main beneficiary of the pageant. Each year another charity for HIV/AIDS orphans would be chosen to benefit from the pageant. In 2002, the organisers elected to make a donation to the KK (Kenneth Kaunda - Zambia's first president) Children of Africa Foundation. In 2003, the year I was crowned, the organisers identified the Garden Compound Street Kids Drop-in Centre and another orphanage in Livingstone as additional beneficiaries of the Pageant - (under the projects section of my website, you can see more of how that was achieved)

For more information, you can visit the Miss Zambia UK section on Ukzambians.co.uk (the link is available on this site)

5. How much have you achieved from the statement you made below?

'First and Foremost, thank you to everyone who supported the Miss Zambia Beauty Pageant. I am privileged to have been crowned Miss Zambia UK 2003. My personal target is to complete my Bsc (HONS) Business Property Management Degree Course, accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) next year in May and graduate with flying colours in November 2004. This will be an achievement in itself as there are only 8 - 10% of women in the Surveying industry! I would like to believe I am making an example to everyone out there especially women that a woman can be just as good and should not feel intimated. This is also an issue in Zambia where the Girl Child's Education is not up to standard but with the encouragement of female students to taking up non traditional subjects, such as the course I will be graduating from next year and Science, Technology etc, Zambia 's economy will benefit a great deal.

As the title holder of the Miss Zambia UK 2003, my main focus will be on the campaigning of HIV/AIDS Awareness. This is a key issue spreading all over the world and one, which is threatening as it has a direct impact on the future population of the country. My promise to fellow Zambians is that, I will do everything in my power to raise funds for the charities elected for donations for this year, which are the adoptive charity Kalingalinga HIV/AIDS Orphanage, the Garden Compound Street Kids Drop-In Centre and the Livingstone Children's Home.

Finally, remember that we are all the same regardless of gender and status. Almost anything is possible; all it takes is motivation, determination and lots of enthusiasm. My favourite message is to 'smile to each other when you come across one another, if you don't, you could end up missing an opportunity of a lifetime'. As they say and I truly believe this, 'God works in mysterious ways'. Also when the going gets tough, do not give up, God only puts us in situations he knows we are fully capable of dealing with. Goodbye for now.'

Well, well, what a statement..I completed my Bachelors Degree Science (BSc) HONS in Business Property Management last year in May 2004 at Sheffield Hallam University. It was not easy but it was a challenge I assigned to, I had to see myself through it. Going to University is one of the best choices (to the youth, if you are reading this, take note, if not someone please pass this on) I have made to date, the course was challenging, however that is one reason I picked it in the first place. I needed something that would simulate my ways of thinking, not just applying the process but understanding the concept and acting on that.

My graduation ceremony was in November 2004, though I missed out on that as I was in Sanya, China representing Mother Zambia at the Miss World Beauty Pageant, I suppose some would say….meeting, posing singing along and dancing on stage with theeeee one and only Lionel Richie made up for that, it was all so surreal.

In campaigning for HIV/AIDS Awareness, leading up to the trip to Zambia last year in September 2004 for official duties, I participated in campaigns across Sheffield Universities as well as raising funds for charities elected as outlined in the above statement. The outcome of that is stated on the 'Projects' section on my website.

6. How is the Campaign for HIV/AIDS going?

There is still a lot more that can be done. This is an aim I still have and willing to work more towards. I am hoping opportunities will be presented, so that further work can be carried out. I am very 'project' oriented, I work effectively with projects which have a process in place, an objective, a goal and who to benefit.

7. Any final words, future plans?

Visit my website!! (she jokes), no seriously, please do. I am hoping with my own website in place, a lot can be taken from it. I may not reach everyone but if a percentage of people can feel motivated or inspired just from reading something I have put on my site, then that is an accomplishment in its own merit.

Future-wise, I am currently pushing the ladder in my Property Surveying career - beauty with brains right there. I have done Miss Zambia UK, done Miss World, I have not yet finished in the fashion industry, keep a look out, I have one or two projects up my sleeve.

Look out for my comments and experience at Miss World 2004 - Sanya Island-China, did I mention I was there with Lionel, just teasing… Bye for now.