The University of Zambia (UNZA) 2026 Mr. and Miss UNZA first runner-up says pageantry Is about purpose, not just beauty.
Sibeso Amukena, 20, a second-year Media and Journalism student at the University of Zambia (UNZA), also won the People’s Choice Award at the 2026 Mr. and Miss UNZA pageant.
She believes the awards allowed people to see not just a contestant, but a young woman with dreams, challenges, passion, and a desire to use her voice to advocate for better student support initiatives.
Speaking in an interview with Lusaka Star, she said her Best in National Costume award was meaningful because it represented Cleopatra a woman she said is remembered not only for her beauty, but also for her intelligence, courage, and leadership.
“I believe people connected with me because I remained authentic,” Amukena said.
“I wanted my representation to be more than just an outfit. I wanted it to tell a story about how great women are.”
She said she had participated in Miss UNZA the previous year without placing, but decided to return after identifying areas she needed to improve, despite the disappointment she experienced.
“Coming back this year required self-courage,” she said.
“I had to remind myself that one disappointment does not define your ability or your future.”
Amukena said she intends to use her platform to continue speaking about issues affecting students, promote awareness of available support services, and encourage students to believe in themselves through meaningful conversations in the media.
“Being Miss UNZA First Runner-Up 2026 is not the end of my journey. It is another beginning,” she said.
Meanwhile, former Miss UNZA 2025 and Event Organizer Flora Mvula said Amukena’s authenticity, consistency, hard work, and ability to articulate herself contributed to her strong performance throughout the competition.
“Personally, I think she was her authentic self and very consistent throughout the competition,” Mvula said.
Mvula added that Amukena’s national costume stood out because of the creativity, research, and execution behind her representation of Egypt, particularly her grand entrance.
“Judges do not only look for physique,they look for beauty with brains a woman in leadership who is able to bring about change within her community using her platform,” Mvula said.
Amukena and Mvula’s perspectives highlight how pageantry can go beyond physical appearance. Amukena’s journey demonstrates the importance of resilience, confidence, and purpose, while Mvula’s assessment shows that authenticity, leadership, communication, and the ability to connect with others remain key qualities for standing out as a pageant contestant.
📸: Malyrics Media