Tracy’s inspiring story: From commercial modelling to Miss Tanzania

What’s in a name? A lot, it seems. The recently crowned Miss Tanzania 2023, Tracy Nabukeera, appears to be proof of how our names may influence our personalities and future.

Her name seems to have a significant impact on both her personality and accomplishments. A simple Google search shows that ‘Tracy’ denotes a fighter, while ‘Nabukeera’ signifies someone who rises early or is always on time, reflecting her punctuality and proactive nature.

Her guiding principle is centred around “believing in one-self, taking action with what you have, and avoiding the temptation to procrastinate for tomorrow.”

Her mother, Natasha K’okutangilira, says her daughter is the kind of person who likes accomplishing tasks on time. "She is a proactive girl, so I think her name reflects on her success, from her education to winning the Miss Tanzania title."

The 20-year-old’s journey to becoming Miss Tanzania started with her modest beginnings as a commercial model and then Miss Higher Learning, a title she earned in March 2023, followed by her victory in the Miss Tanzania competition.

Tracy’s interest in beauty affairs traces back to her childhood, where she would draw and colour women in beautiful dresses, earning her the nickname Miss Tanzania among relatives and friends.

"People used to give me names like Miss Tanzania, and some would say, you’re going to be Miss Kinondoni because we were living in the area at that time.I was thin and tall compared to the other children around me. This made me start thinking about giving it a try, but I didn’t imagine doing it at such an early age," says the second-born in a family of two.

Beyond her beauty, Tracy also possesses academic prowess, excelling in her studies from Baobab Secondary School to Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School. She is currently a first-year student at the University of Dar es Salaam, pursuing a Bachelor’s in Theatre Arts.

Her participation in the beauty pageant was fueled by the support of her mother and her friends. Natasha encouraged Tracy to believe in herself and pursue her dreams. Meanwhile, her friends believed in her beauty and pushed her to participate in Miss Higher Learning, leading her to win the title and eventually the Miss Tanzania crown.

“When I shared my excitement about participating in the beauty pageant with my mother, she gave me some valuable advice, saying I should go for it if I truly felt ready. I decided to take the leap and my mother became my biggest supporter, standing by my side throughout both competitions; Miss Higher Learning and Miss Tanzania,” she shares.

Her friends also played a crucial role in boosting her confidence. Despite not feeling fully prepared to take part in the competition, they believed in her beauty and encouraged her to go ahead with it.

Tracy admits that at age 19, she had reservations about her readiness for the beauty pageant, feeling she might be too young.

 “I knew nothing about the Miss Higher Learning competition. My friends took matters into their own hands, filled out the form and submitted it secretly on my behalf. Despite my reservations and unpreparedness, they persistently reassured me that it was the perfect opportunity for me.”

 She adds; “Their constant encouragement and belief in me finally motivated me to gather my courage and channel my efforts and intellect into the competition,” Tracy recalls with gratitude.

The unwavering support from both her friends and her mother proved to be the driving force behind her success. Her determination and hard work paid off when she emerged victorious, earning her the title of Miss Higher Learning.

This opened the door for Tracy to take the next step in her journey, participating in the prestigious Miss Tanzania competition.

Tracy’s story exemplifies the transformative power of support, encouragement, and believing in oneself.

Through the love and confidence shown by her friends and mother, she found the strength to overcome her initial doubts and fears, ultimately making a mark in the world of beauty pageants.

According to her, the Miss Tanzania competition was very tough, but the thought of her mother’s support and the energy she put into it kept her moving.

"There were so many beautiful girls, it was tough because every opponent seemed to be a winner already.  They were all showcasing their skills at every turn, which made the competition extremely challenging for me and made it impossible for me to believe I was going to win,” Tracy recalls.

The beauty queen believes everyone who made it to the top five in the competition was already a winner in their own right. She says reaching that stage is an accomplishment in itself, regardless of the outcome. “I always remind myself that the journey is what matters, and being in the top five means I’ve done it well.”

She couldn’t believe her ears when she was announced as the winner. The idea of becoming Miss Tanzania seemed like a distant dream.

The jokes that she would become Miss Tanzania had finally turned into a reality. The overwhelming joy and disbelief she felt at that moment were beyond her imagination.

Since winning the crown, Tracy’s life has changed in remarkable ways. She now holds a significant leadership position and has earned the respect and admiration of all Tanzanians.

She views the Miss Tanzania title as a special opportunity and a platform to create positive change.

Tracy plans to focus on the education sector and join the country’s efforts to make Kiswahili an international language through two projects she will present at the 2024 Miss World finals.

One project is an artistic endeavor through the Swahili language, and the other will address environmental issues.

 "Miss Tanzania is a platform for beauties. Sometimes it’s a platform for leaders. When you wear the crown, you have to lead others into good behaviour. When you wear the crown, you represent the country and its people," she explains.

Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and self-belief.

Her success goes beyond the title. It’s about personal growth and the positive influence she can now bring to her community and the nation at large.

If you think Tracy will change after winning the Miss Tanzania title, you are mistaken. She promises to remain down-to-earth and connected with her friends.

She is determined to represent the country well at the Miss World Competition in 2024, aiming to bring the Miss World title home.

Tracy looks up to former Miss Tanzania, Halima Kopwe, as a role model.

She says that Halima's dedication and compassion are traits she aspires to emulate in her own life and future endeavors.

The former Miss Tanzania, Halima, will represent the nation at Miss World 2023 in India this December.