Give Hazel grand welcome—Bingu

President Bingu wa Mutharika Monday urged the
country’s citizens to give Hazel Warren, Malawi’s representative at the
just-ended Big Brother Africa (BBA) 3 reality show, a grand welcome as
she has done the nation proud.
Hazel, 25, finished second in the
show on Sunday which saw 21-year-old Ricardo Venancio, aka Ricco, of
Angola win the US$100,000 (about K14 million) grand prize.
Mutharika,
through State House press officer Chikumbutso Mtumodzi, said he is very
happy for Hazel’s gallant and superb performance. He said Hazel has put
the country on the international map of achievers.
“The State
President is sending his heart-felt congratulations to Hazel Warren for
a wonderful performance in this year’s BBA show. The President says the
fact that Hazel lost by a small margin clearly indicates that Malawians
have the capability and stamina to participate in international
contests,” said Mtumodzi.
He said Mutharika views Hazel’s
outstanding performance as an indication that Malawians are
intelligent, hard-working, determined and focused when it comes to
competitive participation.
“The President is, therefore, joining all
the people of this country in celebrating Hazel’s victory. The
President is also congratulating Hazel’s family for their daughter’s
performance and all Malawians who participated in many ways for a job
well done,” said Mtumodzi.
In a telephone interview from South
Africa Monday, Hazel said the congratulatory gesture from the President
is “a big honour” and that she feels “humbled by it”.
“I am very
thankful to the nation and the President, in particular. I thought some
people had pre-conceived ideas that their representative would mess up
in the house. But when the nation, led by the President, congratulates
you, it makes you glad,” said Hazel.
According to Multichoice
marketing manager Chimwemwe Nyirenda, Hazel is expected back in the
country tomorrow at about 3 pm and not today as earlier indicated.