THE UNIVERSE OF THE DONALD

Donald Trump poses with Miss Universe winners and former finalists Flaviana Matata, Angela Martini, Rosanna Purcell, Susie Castillo, Shandi Finnessey, Amelia Vega, Dayanna Mendoza, Justine Pasek, Riyo Mori, Crystle Stewart, Zana Krasniqi, Marigona Dragusha, and Chloe Mortaud during a photoshoot in New York today. Many of these women have gone on successful modeling and entertainment careers. (Photos: Reuters)

MISS UNIVERSE TANZANIA 2011

The new Miss Universe Tanzania 2011 was crowned last night during a glittering ceremony at the Golden Tulip Hotel in the capital city of Dar Es Salaam. Representing her East African nation at Miss Universe 2011 will be Nelly Kamwera. First runner-up was Nima Kilango; second runner-up was Yaceba Asenga. Some of our most astute scholars of African pageants might recognize Nelly - she was Miss Tanzania 2008 second runner-up. The Miss Universe Tanzania 2011 contest was sponsored by Vodacom Tanzania, which has sponsored the Miss World Tanzania contest in the past. We'll see if they sponsor both this year. Nelly is pure Tanzanite and we expect her to do well at Miss Universe 2011! What is tanzanite you ask? Our students in jewelry design will tell that according to Wikipedia, Tanzanite is the blue/purple variety of the mineral zoisite which was discovered in the Mererani Hills of Northern Tanzania in 1967, near the city of Arusha and Mount Kilimanjaro. It is used as a gemstone. Tanzanite is noted for its remarkably strong trichroism, appearing alternately sapphire blue, violet and burgundy depending on crystal orientation.

ZEN ON SUNDAY

Flaviana Matata

Miss Universe Tanzania 2007 and top 10 finisher at Miss Universe 2007

ZEN ON SUNDAY

Flaviana Matata

Miss Universe Tanzania 2007 and Miss Universe 2007 top 10 finisher

Arise Magazine Model of the Year 2011

AMFW MOY

THE CITIZEN, 15-mar-2011: Tanzanian model Flaviana Matata has won the Model of the Year award by Arise Magazine Lagos Fashion Week. It's been a good year for Flaviana who has been featured in numerous United States editorials including Dazed & Confused, Glass Magazine, L'officiel and soon to be in ID Magazine. She has also walked the runways of some of fashions most influential designers, including Vivianne Westwood, Tory Burch, Suno, and Louise Gray and was featured in the Alexander McQueen film tribute and Topshop Spring 2011 ad campaign. Sky is the limit for her. Recently she modeled print advertisements for Sherri Hill.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH - MISS UNIVERSE TANZANIA 2007

In 2007, Flaviana Matata made Miss Universe history twice - she was the first delegate from Tanzania to ever compete in the pageant and she was the first bald delegate to ever make top 10 (let alone top 15). She made a bold statement then and she's making a bold statement now in her successful modeling career. She appeared in the December 2010 issue of L'Officiel Paris and she's in the current issue of Dazed & Confused. Beauty School thinks Flaviana is fab and looks forward to seeing her in more glam fashion mags in the future. Flaviana, dear, Lorraine (Beauty School's Librarian) wants those shoes and hopes she can find a pair at the local Payless.

PICK FIVE

The Miss Universe Presentation Show always provides pleasant surprises, and this year was no different. Our Pick Five M-Z today, based on their powerful performances in Thursday's presentation show are: Miss Mauritius; Miss Peru, Miss Poland; Miss Philippines; and Miss Tanzania.

MISS UNIVERSE TANZANIA 2010

The new Miss Universe Tanzania 2010 is Hellen Dausen. The 23 year-old model won the title yesterday, giving her the right to represent Tanzania at the 59th Miss Universe Pageant. Rose Shayo was named first runner-up and Miss Earth Tanzania 2010, while Mwajabu Juna was named second runner-up.

MISS WORLD TANZANIA 2009

It was a busy weekend in East Africa! Miss World Tanzania 2009 was held on Friday. Miriam Gerald, 20, of Mwanza, won the title. She also was named Miss Photogenic. First runner-up in the glittering ceremony was Beatrice Lukindo, and second runner-up was Julieth William.

MISS UNIVERSE TANZANIA 2009

Illuminata James is the new Miss Universe Tanzania 20009. She won the title yesterday at a glittering ceremony held in Dar-es-Salaam. First runner-up was Evelyn Almasi; second runner-was Hidaya Maeda.

Illuminata poses here with her mother and with Miriam Odemba, first runner-up to Miss Earth 2008.

MISS WORLD TANZANIA 2008

Vodacom Miss Tanzania 2008 Nasreem Karim, elected last night in Dar es Salaam

VOX POPULI - PART 2

The next 5 of the vox populi - Jamaica, Norway, Ukraine, Tanzania, and Hungary.

PICK OF THE DAY

As the countdown to Miss Universe 2008 begins, Dean Harris will be selecting a "Pick of the Day," based solely on publicity photos circulating that day in the media. The first Pick of the Day is Miss Universe Tanzania 2008, Amanda Sulul. What a beautiful smile and gorgeous mane of hair!

TRAILBLAZERS

Trailblazers from Tanzania - Theresa Shayo, Miss Tanzania World 1967 and Tanzania's first beauty delegate to Miss World; and Flaviana Matata, Miss Tanzania Universe 2007 and Tanzania's first beauty delegate to Miss Universe.