Tanzania made waves last year when Falviana Matata sported a shaved head and insisted that no one should dictate her fashion sense. This year, Tanzania would create yet another waves with Amanda Ole Sulul. Amanda is a Maasai girl who broke their conservative traditions and stood ground against all odds and eventually won the right to represent her country at Miss Universe.
Please tell us about yourself, where you grew up and your hobbies.
Well, my name is Amanda. I grew up in Arusha and I am a Maasai girl from a Maasai family which happens to belong in a very conservative society. My hobbies are watching movies, listening to music and socializing.
What are your current preparations for Miss Universe 2008?
Catwalk practices with Miss Universe Tanzania 2007 Flaviana Matata, reading and researching more about Tanzania. Part of my preparations was also going to my tribal elders in my father’s village to get their blessings for my journey to Miss Universe 2008. Such blessings from elders in my tribe is very important especially when you are traveling for a particular task e.g. when a Maasai Moran (Maasai warrior) goes hunting.
Describe your fashion sense and style.
I like being comfortable yet edgy and unique in whatever I wear. I prefer my wardrobe to reflect my ethnicity especially with accessories eg, Maasai beads.
Could you tell us about your experiences during the Miss Tanzania contest?
I believe my experience at Miss Universe Tanzania 2008 and joining the competition was meant to be because I was upcountry and my application was late for submission. However, due to last minute withdrawal by a contestant I was given the chance to compete. I had 24 hours to travel 800 kilometers, to do my photo shoot and video and to join the other contestants in their daily activities. Even though I was 24 hours late, I was calm and focused throughout the competition which is highly unusual of me. I get flustered when I am nervous. And the best part is that we were all treated equally and I felt that I truly stand a chance because then there was nothing to hold me back. Also the other contestants were very nice and friendly girls which made me comfortable.
What do you plan to do in case you will win the Miss Universe 2008 contest?
First of all, I would thank God for that gift, for it would have come from His goodwill. If I will win the Miss Universe 2008 title, I will fully dedicate myself to serve the cause of Miss Universe which is fighting HIV/AIDS. I would make sure that this cause is directed towards Africa because many young girls and women face the threat of HIV/AIDS every day. Also for my personal development, I would take very seriously my scholarship to film school because I aspire to become an actress and there are no proper film schools in Tanzania.
How would you describe Tanzania to your fellow contestants?
Tanzania is a lovely country with lovely people and a beautiful place to visit. It is blessed with beautiful features, with breathtaking scenery, like Mt Kilimanjaro which happens to be the tallest mountain in Africa and the game parks that teem with wildlife like lions, giraffes, elephants and more to see; not to forget the beautiful beaches we have. Tanzania boasts many UNESCO heritage world sites including the Cradle of Mankind in the Ngorongoro crater - the largest in the world, the historic island of Zanzibar, magical ancient city of Kilwa and many more. I would say Tanzania is a place to visit in our lifetime.
Can you share to us your beauty secret?
Loving oneself and being happy with all that God has given and made me - that is my beauty secret.
Do you think that beauty pageants run in collision course with feminists' views?
No. I don’t think beauty pageants run in collision course with feminists’ views because beauty pageants give opportunities to lots of girls that can change their lives positively especially in Africa. Like in my case who comes from a society that believes a girl’s role is just to get married and have children and treated as second class citizens. Beauty pageants help change the our view of life and push us to change our lives into something big and meaningful, something that my society can never imagine a woman can do - stand out in the world and represent our country.
What qualities do you think will enable you to shine at Miss Universe 2008?
I will stand out because I am one of a kind. I am a Maasai girl with a modern education living in two different worlds. On one hand, I am a Maasai who goes to his father’s village to get the elders’ blessings because it is important to do that in my culture. On the other hand, I can still wear a bikini in the modern world and stand out in front of thousand of people and impress them all. I believe I have a very unique ability that will reflect in everything I will be doing and wearing at Miss Universe 2008. That will make me stand out as a different and unique person.
Lastly, what is your message to the visitors of Missosology.Org?
Thank you for taking off time to read my interview and I wish everyone especially all women to learn to follow their dreams because the only person standing in your way is yourself.
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Special thanks to Maria of Miss Tanzania Universe. Good luck to Amanda from Missosology.Org
