Copperbelt's Faith Mukonko gets Miss Heritage Zambia 2017 crown

The 18-year-old model and CBU student triumphed over 14 other contestants across the country in a highly competitive and entertaining event. 

Copperbelt’s Faith Mukonko was crowned the 5th Miss Heritage Zambia beating contenders from the Lusaka, Southern, Western, Eastern and North Western Province’s at the Miss Heritage Zambia beauty pageant held at Lusaka’s Best Western Plus Lusaka Grand Hotel on Saturday July 8. 

This was the third edition of the Miss Heritage Zambia pageant to be held under the ownership of Unathi Events. 

Faith triumphed over 14 other contestants across the country in a highly competitive and entertaining event. 

She is the first beauty queen from Copperbelt Province to take home the prize Lusaka having won the last four. 

Faith edged out first runner-up, Shakaina Chomba from Central Province and Second runner-up, Selia Jere from Eastern Province and also won best cuisine category while Jacinta Chanda from Copperbelt province won the talent category with a mesmerising acting piece. 

Beauty Shamanga Miss Heritage Zambia 2017 Finalist - Lusaka was crowned Miss Personality. 

The event was characterized by an electrifying atmosphere and a traditional parade of eye-catching national costumes by the models who were equal to the tasks set before them. Five judges were tasked to select this year's winner and included Zodwa. 

Chali Laswel aka ChaliDj ZM from the Qfm and QTV fame gave the event the punch it needed as he executed the master of ceremony’s role to the point. 

Shakaina Chomba won the best visit to a heritage site assignment which was based on the Football Heroes Burial Site in Lusaka city. 

Best presentation on the importance of having a world heritage site in Zambia assignment was won by Mudenda Siabeenzu who represented southern province squarely unfolding the mighty Victoria Falls as a heritage site. 

Faith, who is also Miss Copperbelt University 2017 was tearful as she accepted her sash and crown from Miss Heritage Zambia 2017, Natasha Joan Mapulanga. 

The 5th Miss Heritage Zambia walked away with various prizes including a cheque worth K5000 from National Heritage while the first princess got a K2000 and the second princess K1500. 

The Executive Director for National Heritage commission was on hand to promote national heritage and encouraged attendees to support heritage sites by visiting them. 

The event was also graced by LUWI-Miss Tourism Zambia 2016, Luwi Kawanda who was on hand to give out awards to deserving participants. 

Event sponsors included Best western plus Lusaka Grand Hotel, Tag Media, ProLyfe Graphix , Machi Media, California Beverages, Beautiful me, Topstar, Big Moze, Mr. Daniel Chisenga, and Dams Group of Companies. 

The event was organised by Naomi Eneless Banda under the auspices of Unathi Events and the National Heritage Conservation Commission.