THE Miss Tanzania beauty pageant will now be organized by renowned film actress Leah Mwendamseke, popularly known as “Lamata,” after her company was officially handed the rights to run the competition from Basila Mwanukuzi.

Speaking today in Dar es Salaam, Lamata said she has received the new responsibility with great joy and believes that, together with her team and stakeholders in the beauty industry, they will take the competition to greater heights.

“Today is just the handover ceremony, but later we will have an official launch of these beauty pageants—Miss Tanzania—and we will organize them on a much bigger scale,” said Lamata.

She added that as new organizers, they will introduce a fresh look, added value, and greater energy to the Miss Tanzania 2026 national competition.

“We have a solid plan to offer a three-year contract, instead of one year, to the Miss Tanzania winner. During that period, we will support her in social, economic, leadership, and developmental activities,” Lamata explained.

She also thanked the government, through the National Arts Council (BASATA), for its guidance and strong cooperation throughout the process of acquiring the rights to organize the Miss Tanzania pageant.

On her part, Basila—who had been organizing Miss Tanzania since 2018—announced her official withdrawal from the competition and confirmed that all rights have now been transferred to the new organizer.

“I am confident in the person I am handing over this pageant to… It took me a long time to make this decision, but I believe Lamata is capable,” said Basila.

The first Miss Tanzania competition was held in 1994 after receiving government approval. The first winner was Aina Maeda, followed by Lucy Ngongoseka as the runner-up, and Dotto Abuu in third place.

Since then, the competition has been held annually, continuously improving and growing into the largest beauty pageant in Tanzania.