By Stevens Muendo
Dazzling with poise and finesse last Sunday evening, Shamim Ali — Kenya’s representative in the ongoing Miss World Beauty with a Purpose competition in China — took to the runway as the anxious crowd applauded her.
The magnificent lights and cool music created such a breathtaking aura as the Kenyan beauty stood tall in a blue dress.
Her adorable charming smile and confidence spoke volumes about her strong character. Here she was, standing tall among the 40 semi-finalists, the top world beauties who will be competing for the most coveted beauty crown in the world — after making it through a list of 115.
And now, all eyes are on the Architecture student whose life may just see a total turnaround come tomorrow night when the new Miss World crown holder will be announced.
Five africans on top
“I am happy with my achievements here and will return to Kenya a happy girl after representing my country well,” Shamim told Pulse on Tuesday during an exclusive interview.
“Honestly, I did not think I would make it this far (to the top 40). Even if I don’t win the title, just know that your girl did her best to make her beautiful country proud. Keep voting for me on Miss World-Kenya,” she remarked.
The feat has earned her a place as one of the top five African beauties in the competition. The other African finalists include South Sudan, South Africa, Angola and Nigeria.
What is most astounding is that on Tuesday evening, Shamim’s auction item — Family of Elephant from Maltbronze — raised $16,000 (an equivalent of Sh1.3M) during a charity dinner held in Ordos, Mongolia, where the finals will be hosted tomorrow. It was one of the highest sold auction items in the show and the first by a Kenyan model to hit such figures.
“Giving back to society gives me so much pleasure and self satisfaction. That’s why I want to spearhead the Water for Life Campaign. I also want to fight global warming because that way, I will be able to touch many lives of women, children, and the poor as well as excluded people in Kenya and Africa as a whole,” she stated before the competition’s judges.
“I must say that the Miss Kenya sponsors, Ashleys Ltd and East Africa Breweries had prepared me well,” she concluded.
