For the first time in the competition’s history, the winner of Miss Zambia has been dethroned.
Louisa Chingangu, who was crowned Miss Zambia 2016 last December, has been suspended for what the franchise owners claim is “gross misconduct” for supporting an online publication that alleged that the organisers had not given her all the prizes promised.
The publication that Chingangu apparently supported, alleged that Platinum Events Productions Africa, the organiser of the pageant, had not given Louisa the job, return air ticket to the Miss World 2016/17 and the cash prize as promised.
Last week, Platinum Events issued a statement attempting to explain “the truth” over the allegations, which also included having a “lukewarm attitude” towards working with Louisa.
But the Miss Zambia pageant owner, Elizabeth Mwanza, herself a former Miss Zambia winner, has stepped in amid the allegations.
In a statement, Mwanza went on to call out Chingangu for her actions.
“[The] Miss Zambia 2016 winner has openly supported the false publication and showed gross misconduct ever since the news broke out; we have therefore suspended her with immediate effect as the title holder of Miss Zambia 2016 and has to hand over all properties to the Miss Zambia organisers.
“The title will remain vacant. There is only three months remaining until the next Miss Zambia. Any engagements will be handled by the First Princess [Mwangala Ikacana],” she added.
She claimed that it was not possible for both the cash and the car to be promised for the pageant winner, as the Zambian pageant did not have such a budget.
Elizabeth further commented that Chingangu showed a lack of interest and commitment towards the competition.
“I personally had to reach out to Louisa after being briefed of her non-committal attitude. I also got a lack of interest and non-committal attitude to a point of her not responding to messages, calls or set meetings, a first in the history of the Miss Zambia management,” she says.
“I’m of the view that Louisa entered the pageant for the wrong reasons and is not willing to do the work that comes with the title. To date, she hasn’t presented any idea of any project. The Miss Zambia crown needs a title holder with a passion for any good cause, initiative and a people-person.
“Miss Zambia 2016 has been on full information regarding the 2017 pageant and we’re utterly surprised that she can claim not being informed on the upcoming pageant.”
