RICHA Adhia was announced Vodacom Miss Tanzania 2007 on Saturday night, drawing mixed reactions from the audiences as some cheered, while others muttered words of disproval.
The 19-year-old led a clean sweep of the top three positions for the Dar es Salaam beauty queens. Lilian Abel from Kinondoni finished second, while Queen David from Temeke finished third.
But the judges’ decision in everything is final, and Richa will therefore fly the Tanzanian flag at the Miss World beauty pageant later this year in China.
She received the crown together with a brand new RAV 4 car
worth 45m/- and 8m/- cheque.
Richa particularly impressed the panel of judges, led by Miss World 2001 Agbani Darego, with her confidence and
articulate answers to questions.
Richa, who was dressed in white long dress, was asked about her favourite colour to which she responded ‘white’, explaining that the colour symbolized peace and cleanness for her.
After the Q&A session, which involved the best five, and colourful performance by the THT group, Miss World 2001 Agbani Darego, who was the chief judge, stepped forward to announce the winner.
“Vodacom Miss Tanzania 2007 is contestant number 6, Richa Adhia!” the Nigerian beauty queen announced, attracting cheers and murmurs.
The nervous Adhia stepped forward to thank hundreds of fans packed in the Leaders Club grounds before replacing Wema Sepetu from the Queen’s chair.
Some fans gave her a cold shoulder but many others who don’t consider race as an attribute for winning Miss Tanzania, cheered the new queen.
Members of the jury were Agbani Darego (chairperson), Prashanti Patel, Jacqueline Ntuyabaliwe, Irene Madeje, Sophia Dianaku, Salum Kombo, Leons Mtauna, David Minja, Christian Masiaga and coordinator of the judges, Ramesh Shah.
