Times Of Swaziland: MISS ECO-TOURISM MIREL SCOOPS AWARD MISS ECO-TOURISM MIREL SCOOPS AWARD ================================================================================ BY MMELI MKHWANAZI on 14/10/2021 08:24:00 MBABANE – Miss Eco-Tourism Eswatini Mirel Lopes has got off to a good start ahead of the Miss Eco-Tourism World pageant finals. With the main event slated to take place this Saturday, Lopes scooped the first award in the swimwear category as she was voted under the ‘Best Swimwear’ contestant. This was when she and the other contestants were at the UShaka Marine World for a sports challenge and swimwear at South Beach, Durban. Under the sports challenge, Lopes almost scooped her second award, but eventually came second. It is worth noting that throughout the week, there will be different awards leading up to the event. Models The beautiful Lopes is currently in Durban, South Africa where she is competing against other models from other countries for the much coveted titled of being crowned Miss Eco-Tourism World. Her ‘award – winning swimwear outfit was designed by local fashion designer Tanele Tfwala who said: “I am so excited and proud of her for winning while wearing an outfit designed by me. It is appeasing to see that my designs are on another level and were recognised internationally as she was competing against 30 contestants.” She went on to add that this was not the first time she was tasked to design an outfit for Lopes as she also designed other pieces when she (Lopes) was a Miss Swaziland (Eswatini) contestant. This publication also interviewed Lopes and she expressed her excitement at winning the first award. She said on Tuesday, they had a photoshoot with the other contestant and so the judging was basically based on personality and the way she interacted with everyone. She went on to add: “I feel so inspired to keep enjoying and doing my best. The whole experience today taught me how one should actually be themselves in their uniqueness and showcase the best version of yourself, but most importantly to be kind and helpful to other people, which happens naturally.” Furthermore, Acting Chairlady for Pageants Eswatini Liviwe Makhubu added by saying: “We are so proud of her and what she has achieved so far. She is actually having the time of her life as she went on to scoop a first runner up in the fitness section. We are proud of her and still await more victories. We wouldn’t be surprised if she wins the title as she has already placed our flag at the top and we are confident more is still to come.” Models Lopes is currently a teacher and a student enrolled at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA). She is currently competing for the crown against contestants who are models from countries including South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Lesotho, Liberia, Indonesia, China, Japan, Mexico, Botswana, Zambia, Ghana and Guinea Bissau to name a few. Miss Eco-Tourism International is a pageant that celebrates women with a passion for saving the planet and making choices that are better for the environment and is currently hosted in South Africa for the first time as there will be contestants from over 30 countries.