The Mrs Universe pageant will be held in Durban until 2027. This will be the first time the pageant has been hosted in Africa. This comes after the former Mrs KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and 2016 Mrs Universe first runner-up, Tracey-Anne Aggett won over the International Mrs Universe organising committee with her charitable projects and vision for the continent.
Tracey-Ann Aggett. Picture: Supplied.
“Durban has outdone Africa by clinching the rights to host the 40th Annual Mrs Universe Pageant. It’s a coup for the KZN coastal hub as this is the first time the glitzy event will be held in the continent”, says Aggett.
Aggett says she is very delightful for such wonderful opportunity and aims to inspire even more women in the continent.
“There’s a lot of emotions that run through me regarding this. It's very exciting because finally I have a platform which I can really make as a way to see more women and children around Africa. The fact that I’ve got ten years to empower women around Africa and to be a strong voice and unite women and children’s voices as one, globally, makes me feel like I’m doing the work I’m supposed to do”, says Aggett.
Mrs Universe 2017 Hosting Director, Tracey-Ann Aggett. Picture: Supplied.
She is also excited that Africa is getting recognised internationally through such projects and hopes to either host Botswana or Ghana in the next pageant. “I am very excited that Africa is getting highlighted internationally through our women because we have very powerful women here in Africa. It also brings so much joy to have the such privilege in growing women and children around Africa;
“After hosting here in South Africa, I’d love it to take it to Botswana or Ghana because there are a lot of women there that are trying to step up and it would be a great privilege for their economy from the tourist level, trade and investment as well as empowerment level”,says Aggett.
Tracey-Ann Aggett when crowed as the Mrs Universe 2016 first runner-up in China. Picture: Supplied.
*Women from 84 countries will gather at the People’s Park Moses Mabhida Stadium on September 2 this year for the 40th Annual Mrs Universe. For more details, visit www.mrsuniverse2017.co.za.