At 24 years old, Liza Gundowry was elected Miss Mauritius on February 26. The young woman wants to be socially involved during her year of reign. As a reminder, Esha Luchoomun and Anne-Laure Guillemain are respectively the first and second runner-up of this contest. The Miss answers the questions of Le Matinal.
Why did you choose to participate in the Miss Mauritius contest?
It’s actually an anecdote a little special. In January 2020, while I was doing an internship in a radio in Mauritius, I attended a press conference of the Miss World Organization. I had the chance to meet the current Miss World Toni-Ann Singh from Jamaica. We hit it off, we talked about Mauritius and social issues. With Julia Morley, the CEO of Miss World, we also talked about my studies and my ambitions, especially my desire to carry out social impact projects in Mauritius. I was then encouraged to participate in the Miss Mauritius contest. The Miss Mauritius organization, present at the press conference, took my contact information.
However, due to the pandemic and the restrictions in place, the pageant was not held in 2020. It was in April 2021 that I learned that the pageant was going to be held, and I was invited to submit my application for Miss Mauritius 2021. I did the online casting, as the borders were closed in Mauritius and I was selected. In the meantime, I had time to complete my Masters at Oxford University before coming to Mauritius. It was a good timing for me: after 5 years of university studies, I did not have any professional commitment yet, so I could focus on the competition 100%. Moreover, I could also count on the Miss Mauritius organization with its 50 years of experience.
What worked in your favor during the contest?
I must say that what immediately set me apart was my academic background. I am fortunate to have had a family that has always encouraged and motivated me in my studies. I learned discipline and hard work – values that helped me to secure a place at Oxford University for my Masters, and before that at University College London, another prestigious university.
I also think that there is an international dimension that worked in my favor. Besides the fact that I have lived in England since childhood, I have traveled a lot. I have lived for some time in Latin America, notably in Mexico where I studied international relations at the Colegio de Mexico; in Paris where I did an internship in a law firm; I have also traveled quite a bit in other European countries.
I also speak 4 languages fluently. So, this international exposure remains one of my assets.
What will be your priorities during your year of reign?
First of all, I’m looking forward to starting my Beauty With a Purpose project. I like this initiative and this idea of using the Miss Mauritius platform to bring change in our society. I would like to use the Miss Mauritius platform to help improve the educational path of underprivileged children. I have been fortunate enough to benefit from a quality education, and I would like to help other young people in need. Currently, I work for the University of Oxford, where I help students with special needs access their programs of study. I would like to work in this direction in Mauritius during my reign, with the help of the Miss Mauritius Organization.
I also want to be a role model for the youth of my country, especially for young women.
Another priority is to give my all in the preparation for Miss World. I am looking forward to representing my country at the international level. Promoting Mauritius abroad is something I have been doing – I wrote my Master’s thesis on Mauritius; I was a presenter at the Mauritius Open Air Festival in London last year. I acted as a press correspondent for the international media during the Wakashio disaster – so I would like to continue all this work on another scale with the Miss Mauritius Organization.
In what field do you plan to pursue a career afterwards?
At the moment I am working in the field of education. I work for the University of Oxford where I help students with special needs access their programs of study.
I have a background in international relations and conflict resolution – my dream career would combine the two, as they go hand in hand: international relations are a critical link in conflicts between countries. Especially in the current political climate, with the recent conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
But, for now, my goal is to be the best Miss Mauritius I can be.
What is your view on Mauritius in 2022?
Mauritius is a small country with big ambitions. The country has proven itself and positioned itself as a success story on the African continent. But this reputation is fragile – we should not be complacent and sleep on our laurels. More effort is needed to consolidate this reputation as a success story, because the competition is tough. We need to constantly try to outdo ourselves.
I also think it is time to attract the expertise of the Mauritian diaspora. The Mauritian diaspora is all over the world. I know that there have been recent schemes to attract Mauritians from abroad, but maybe we really need to capitalize on the richness of our diversity.
Another look at Mauritius: the extreme poverty that we see in many places in the country.
