Miss Afro Trinidad & Tobago Highlights Cultural Heritage and Youth Empowerment in Exclusive Interview

During a special segment of “The Human Impact” on Freedom 106.5 FM, host Tosca Martinez welcomed the inaugural titleholder of the newly launched Miss Afro Trinidad & Tobago pageant, DeLisa Rabathali (also referred to as Delise Rabathali). The interview, timed to celebrate World Steel-Pan Day, offered listeners an in-depth look at the pageant’s origins, its cultural significance, and the champion’s ongoing community work.

Ms. Rabathali explained that the pageant was conceived by the Ministry of Culture and Community Development as a platform to celebrate Afro-Trinidadian identity through beauty, talent, and cultural education. She recounted her early immersion in the arts—starting performance at age one, dancing with the Ibis troupe, and later joining the Padron Tree dance group. Her journey continued with participation in local pageants such as “Queens on the Runway” and “Miss Trinidad & Tobago Regional and International Queen,” which ultimately led her to be selected for the inaugural Miss Afro T&T competition.

The competition’s format differs from traditional pageants. Contestants attended an orientation session, researched a chosen African country, and prepared a speech linking that nation’s history to Trinidad and Tobago. Ms. Rabathali was assigned Zimbabwe. She highlighted the shared colonial legacy with Britain, the resilience of the Zimbabwean people, and the importance of acknowledging both African and Caribbean narratives.

Fashion played a central role in the pageant. With the support of her mother, fashion designer Anastasia Jackie, Ms. Rabathali’s wardrobe blended Zimbabwean motifs, locally sourced fabrics from San Fernando, and accessories styled by celebrity stylist Larry Rampasade. She noted that the production emphasized authenticity over generic patriotic colors.

Throughout the interview, Ms. Rabathali reflected on lessons learned from fellow contestants. She cited a participant representing Zambia, noting the cultural and natural ties between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and another contestant, Ola Yenken Lee, who brought Nigerian heritage to the stage. These exchanges underscored the pageant’s goal of fostering pan-African solidarity.

Looking ahead, Ms. Rabathali emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to institutionalising the pageant, with plans for mentorship programs, structured events, and potential collaborations resembling UN cohort models. She voiced a personal mission to inspire younger generations, describing how she began teaching dance to eight-year-olds at age twelve and continues to run back-to-school drives through the Synergistic Foundation.

To broaden her outreach, Ms. Rabathali shared her social media handle—Instagram @KURevIE—and provided an email address (drabathali-2019@email.com) for inquiries, donations, or mentorship opportunities. She also announced the launch of a back-to-school drive scheduled for 2 p.m. on the day of the interview.

The conversation concluded with the host thanking Ms. Rabathali for her insights and wishing her success in future endeavors, reinforcing the pageant’s role as a catalyst for cultural pride and youth empowerment in Trinidad and Tobago.