Miss Rwanda 2021 Contestants inspired by MTN Rwanda Senior Managers
Miss Rwanda contestants currently in the bootcamp at La Palisse Nyamata, this week had an interactive session with senior staff of MTN Rwanda, who discussed among other things, building a career, nurturing self-confidence and being ambitious in whatever they do.
Teta Mpyisi, the Senior Manager, Brand, Communications and Sponsorship and Gisele Phanny Wibabara, the Head of Sponsorship and Trade Activations at MTN Rwanda had a vibrant session which was aimed at motivating the girls to get the very best out of themselves and to utilize the platform Miss Rwanda gave them to make a difference in their lives.
The two MTN Rwanda managers reminded Miss Rwanda 2021 contestants that they already have a brand by the mere fact that they got into the top 20 contenders of the Miss Rwanda crown, telling them that even though there will be one winner, they should feel proud that they made it to the final.
“You are your own brand. You are going to be crowned Miss Rwanda or probably not, but from now on you should know you have your own brand,” Wibabara told the girls, urging them to capitalize on that and promote themselves.
They told the contestants to capitalizes on what makes each one of them unique and ensure that even after Miss Rwanda 2021, they can build on the uniqueness they bring to their communities, to build their own brands and projects
“Maybe some of the projects are similar. I don’t know, but still project yourself out there and say, ‘you know, this is me. I’m unique. This is what I want to do’ makes you different from the rest,” Wibabara added.
Teta and Wibabara encouraged the girls to identify their goals and define their brands and always strive to do the very best of whatever they will set out to do after Miss Rwanda.
Among the traits that will make them successful is being genuine, consistent and having a focus on their goals, without letting failure stand in their way.
Teta told the contestants that life will not end with Miss Rwanda, whether they win or not, they must focus on what the future holds for them and build on the brand they will get out of being Miss Rwanda 2021 finalists.
“Ladies here in the room today, just because you don’t make it to the top doesn’t mean that you’re a failure. No, you know, so that is part of you know, creating your own brand just know that there’s a possibility that you fail but always yeah, it’s okay,” Miss Rwanda contestants were told.
They were encouraged to individually set standards under which they will set out to achieve their goals and ensure that they don’t go below that standard.
The girls asked what it would take to join MTN Rwanda as a staff member other than having a degree and they were told that a degree is important because the organisation values education but being innovative and talented are other key aspects.
They took the contestants through the opportunities MTN Rwanda has to offer to young people, particularly girls, giving them a room to grow and fully explore their potential, with some of the best corporate values to support employees.
The two ladies shared their own stories and how they have been able to grow through the ranks over the years.
Teta said that she had no plans to go into the corporate world but when an opportunity showed up, her relatives kept pushing her to go and apply then go through the interviews, until she got the job. She is now into the 9th year at MTN Rwanda.
Wibabara told the contestants that education is the key as well as doing what you do passionately. Having started as a personal assistant to the CEO, she stayed true to her job and supported during events and marketing, while at it, she applied for her Master’s degree.
Today she is the Head of Sponsorship and Trade activations, a managerial post -something she attributes to passion and having a dream to become something bigger, combined with education.
“I also invested in myself. I really did! When others were going home after work, I would go to class. I applied for my Master’s Degree. So, I was doing my masters while I was also doing my job because I knew I wanted to be somewhere,” she said.
By completing her Master’s, she prepared herself for any opportunity that would come up and when it did, she was the obvious choice. She reminded the contestants that it was all not rosy but she rather put in hard work and it paid off.
The two MTN Rwanda ladies encouraged the girls to do what makes them better and follow their passion because it is the most important thing.
The session was aimed at preparing the girls mentally ahead of the Miss Rwanda 2021 finale set for Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Intare Arena.
MTN Rwanda will award Miss Popularity with a brand-new latest phone, Rwf1m and a full year as a brand ambassador.
The final will be broadcast on Rwanda Broadcasting Agency’s KC2 channel from 7pm for people in Rwanda, while those outside Rwanda can join by clicking on this link: www.missrwanda.rw/grand-finale