Miss
Isatou Dem, an Arts student of SOS High School, was over the weekend crowned
Miss Super Nawettan 2016.
She
is the first beauty Queen to represent SK West and the first Gambian to win the
maiden crown organised by the Sports Journalists’ Association of the Gambia in
partnership with Emids Promotion and the Super Nawettan organizing committee.
She
topped a field of 7 beauty contestants to win the maiden crown and the title of
Miss Super Nawettan 2016.
Dem
wore and performed a cultural dance to a song ‘’Wongo’’ sung by a Senegalese
singer and guitarist Baaba Maal. Her platform is Sexual Abuse.
During
the onstage interview portion of the competition, she was asked who the Gambia
Football Federation president is and she answered it right that it’s Mr Lamin
Kaba Bajo, one of several sports questions asked of the contestants.
A
“Tukulor” by tribe, Miss Dem advocates in the fight against sexual abuse and
devised possible means of protecting victims suffering from the exploitation.
“People
with developmental disabilities are often victims of sexual abuse and are at a
greater risk for victimization of sexual assault or sexual abuse because of
lack of understanding.”
She
defined sexual abuse as “any sexual assault committed with force or force in
favour of an unequal relationship”.
She
said children and adolescents are affected primarily by the “unequal
relationship” and she would endeavour to advocate for their ultimate
protection.
Her
secret dream is to be a lawyer; something she considers will lend a hand to
solving specific individualised problems like sexual abuse.
Looking
very emotional as she walked on stage to collect her award, she said: “I don’t
know what to say, I am speechless right now. I am so happy and so grateful to
even be here.”
The
Miss Super Nawettan 2016 contestants, who competed for the Queen’s crown,
sizzled on the stage in their colourful traditional costumes and in sports
gears that painted the event’s name.
The
first-ever Miss Super Nawettan finalists are: Miss Isatou Dem of Serekunda West
(winner), Miss Amie Oulga Jagne of SK East won the first Runner-up in the
contest, followed by Miss Haddy Ndow from Sukuta as Second Runner-up and Miss
Fatou A. Faye of Barra Essau Mayamba (BEM), who won the Personality and
Photogenic of the year honours.
The
three other gorgeous contestants; Zainab Camara from Brufut, Haddy Jobe of
Banjul and Satang Dumbuya, Bakau, were left empty handed.
Five
other Queens anticipated from Manjai, Lamin, S.K. Central, Brikama and Gunjur
could not make up the 12 intended contestants to fully represent the twelve
Gambia Football Federation recognized zones.
The
country’s new Miss Super Nawettan 2016, Miss Isatou Dem 18, was crowned the
winner on Thursday 27 October in an amazing night at Jakarlo (former Spy Baa)
in Senegambia.
