HARARE (The Thursday Times) — Two African contestants have pulled out of this year’s Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico after failing to get US visas, and two more are still waiting for theirs, as US travel restrictions keep some of Africa’s beauty queens at home.
The representatives of Zambia and the Republic of Congo have withdrawn. The contestants from Zimbabwe and South Sudan are still without visas, although delegates began arriving in Puerto Rico, a US territory, on November 8 for rehearsals and fittings.
Zambia’s organisers said their contestant, Mubanga Pamela Hatyoka, a registered nurse crowned on October 8, was kept out by the US presidential travel restrictions rather than by any problem with her own papers. “She earned her crown, she earned her title, and she deserves the opportunity to represent the nation she proudly serves,” they said. They said five other African countries faced similar difficulties, but did not name them.
In the Republic of Congo, Georgina Kambongo was the country’s first Miss Universe contestant. National organisers said her inability to travel was linked solely to the US restrictions.
“Not giving up”
Zimbabwe’s Roseanna Hall, who has spent weeks in South Africa trying to get a visa, said on Instagram that she had been going “back and forth” over her application. “American visa challenges have delayed that journey, but the fight is not over,” she wrote. “After months of preparation, I am not giving up.”
South Sudan’s organisers said their contestant’s participation was still uncertain after months of effort. “South Sudan deserves to be seen, heard, and represented,” they said.
Zimbabwe is among 19 countries under partial US travel restrictions that took effect on January 1, which suspend visitor, student, and exchange visas for their nationals. The restrictions were widened last December to include Zambia, while nationals of the Republic of Congo and South Sudan face a full suspension of entry, according to reports.
About 120 contestants are expected at the 75th edition. The national costume round is on November 21, followed by the swimsuit and evening gown rounds, and the winner will be crowned on November 24 at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan. Pakistan’s entrant, Misbah Arshad, set off for Puerto Rico earlier this month.
