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Having captured the audience with her golden voice, Feza Kessy on the
night of the Miss Ilala contest, discovered she is not only the beauty icon
she thought she was, but she has a talent for singing as well.
The current Miss Ilala, Feza, is now working hard to win the Miss Tanzania
crown later this year. With her "never give up" attitude in life, Feza is
hoping to be Miss Tanzania and make history by winning the Miss World crown
for Tanzania.
Feza who is athletic, fashionable but also academic, told The Express in an
exclusive interview that it is only a scholarship to Harvard University that
would make her give up the contest, and take the first flight to the US in
order to join her dream university.
The Express: When you went on stage, did you know you would
win?
Feza: No, everyone looked so beautiful and even answered the
questions well, but when I was selected among the top five, I knew for sure
I'd be Miss Ilala, or at least the first runner- up.
The Express: Do you think your singing had an influence on the
judges?
Feza: I don't know, I have just loved singing, for as long as I can
remember, but that day I was sweating on the stage, it wasn't as easy as I
thought.
The Express: Was it the first time you’ve sung in front of a
big crowd?
Feza: Oh yes, and I am not really a professional singer, it was my
first time to sing using a microphone, and I felt my voice changing but I
tried to do my best. I never knew I could sing so well. (laughs)
The Express: Would you consider singing as a career?
Feza: Not right away, because I am going to join college now, and I
do not think I can manage school, beauty pageants and singing at the same
time.
The Express: How did your family feel about you in a beauty
pageant?
Feza: They have been supportive except for my brothers, they thought
it was funny, but now they are telling me I will be Miss Tanzania.
The Express: Tanzania has never won Miss World, do you think you can
make history?
Feza: I have been thinking about it and it’s funny, I would love to
make history, as for now I am working on winning Miss Tanzania.
The Express: What are some of the areas you think you need to
work on for becoming Miss Tanzania?
Feza: Personally I think I should do more gym work and be careful
with what I eat, just the basics on proper diet and good sleep.
The Express: Have you ever considered yourself a beauty icon
or is this just something you wanted to do?
Feza: As a child I felt like I was meant to be a model, I liked
beautifying myself with my sisters’ lipsticks and make up stuff, but as I
grew older it sort of faded, I was more into sports, especially swimming and
soccer, but when my sister won Miss Tanzania in 1997 I was interested in
participating as well. I couldn't then because of my age, but now I am
eligible.
The Express: Do you feel under some kind of pressure to win
because your sister was Miss Tanzania?
Feza: I am worried the judges might fail me to avoid being blamed. I
know people have been saying that I won Miss Ilala because I have been
favoured but I don’t think so, I won because I fit the criteria. The
organizing committee and even the judges have been as fair as they could be,
I am just hoping they are fair with me for Miss Tanzania as well.
The Express: What do you, as a person, expect from the
contest?
Feza: A platform to make myself heard and to help others. With the
crown on my head, I will have access to various people and organizations to
discuss things I want to talk about with them for the betterment of my
country.
The Express: What is your opinion about wearing beach wear on
stage?
Feza: I think it is OK, as long as we have something of us covered ,
and mind you, when we go for Miss World we are expected to wear beach wear,
so it better to be trained from here.
The Express: What is your biggest goal in life?
Feza: To finish my studies so that I can help those who are less
fortunate than me, especially street children.
The Express: Why street children?
Feza: When I was in Arusha, my sister and I used to organise a fun
fair and use the profits for helping street children. I have been involved
with them and let me tell you they are not on the street by choice, they are
mere victims of circumstance, and all they need is a little attention. I
want to do all I can for them and make them happy
The Express: What makes you happy?
Feza: When I accomplish the goals I have set for myself. Recently it
was Miss Ilala and I am so happy to have won it. Miss Tanzania is next.
The Express: What is one thing that will make you give up the
contest for Miss Tanzania, given the choice?
Feza: Scholarship to Harvard. (Laughs). If I get a scholarship now, I
am gone.
The Express: I thought you would say your dream boy.
Feza: My dream boy has to be the most honest man on earth, one who
never lies. Siyo rahisi kupata (not easily found) But I wouldn't give up the
contest any way. (laughs)
The Express: Who is your role model in life?
Feza: My mother, she is strong and kind, she raised four children on
her own and we weren't all nice kids, we were at times very naughty. But she
never gave up on us.
The Express: What if you do not win Miss Tanzania, how will
you take it?
Feza: I'll take it, God has a better plan for me, I'll never blame
anyone else for it, I have seen this in lots of people, they are very quick
in blaming others for their own failure, I am not like that.
The Express: What does Feza mean?
Feza: When I asked my parents they said it is everything beautiful
put in one box.
Interview by: Fatima Grace Bapumia
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