From Dar es Salaam to the runway: Latricia Ian's journey as Miss World Tanzania
Latricia Ian was crowned Miss World Tanzania on 19 April in Dar es Salaam.
Image: Supplied
A beauty queen from Dar es Salaam, Latricia Ian, made her fashion runway debut in Cape Town a week after being crowned Miss World Tanzania.
The 25-year-old also took her first international flight when she came to Cape Town last week to model the latest collections from local and foreign fashion designers at the Week Of Fashion event.
“This is my first trip after the crown. Being here in Cape Town is amazing,” said Ian after the shows ended.
Ian was born in Kilimanjaro and currently lives in Dar es Salaam where she works as a client manager for a media production company. While Miss World Tanzania is her biggest win to date, she is not new to the pageant stage.
“I have entered many beauty pageants. I won some of them, so I have had preparation. But this is different. It scares me sometimes because I am now carrying a whole nation and people expect things of me,” said Ian.
Latricia Ian after her participation in Week Of Fashion shows in Cape Town.
Image: Yazeed Kamaldien
“I am not standing alone though. I have a whole organisation behind me. I also have my family and work support.”
Ian’s focus for her reigning year will be raising awareness about autism in Tanzania.
“Miss World is about what impact you can have on society. It’s beauty with a purpose. As a beauty queen, it’s about what can you offer society,” said Ian.
“I want to fight against poverty. I also want to bring awareness about autism in my country. We have many children with autism and we call them lazy, disobedient or hard to live with. However, they need someone to listen to them.”
Latricia Ian at a fitting session with fashion designer David Tlale ahead of her debut modelling in South Africa.
Image: Yazeed Kamaldien
Ian also wants to inspire young girls.
“I didn’t win this without failures and obstacles. I cried when nobody saw me. But I prayed. If you are passionate about something don’t let it go when it’s hard. You have to right for it. It will never be easy,” she said.
“You will face obstacles. Do not give up. Pray and work hard.”
Her next step is representing Tanzania at the international Miss World contest planned for Vietnam on September 5.
Miss World is the oldest existing international beauty pageant and was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951. Its current winner is Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand.