

At 24 years of age Diana Edward Lukumai, a former beauty queen is a successful businesswoman and an activist fighting negative cultural practices. When she was younger, she did a documentary about the “Maasai Dondosha Wembe” that shows how Maasai girls undergo Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). “I have been able to change the mindset of the community practising it.” When asked if she would change anything about her personality and look, she says, “Nothing, because I am proud of who I am.” Diana stands at 5’8 and weighs 54kgs. The 2016 -2017 Miss Tanzania crown holder says that it takes more than just good genes to maintain the ideal body weight and glowing skin.
With her infectious laughter and an authoritative voice, the Anti-FGM activist speaks to Viva Serenity on her health regimen.
“I come from the Maasai community and we are genetically blessed with good body features but if one does take care of themselves they can gain weight and have bad skin,” says the beauty queen who hails from Arusha, Tanzania. Diana maintains her natural hair, no relaxers, no harsh treatments. “I visit the salon twice a week since I live in Dar es Salaam and the weather is humid.” She says she only uses natural products on her hair and has no intention of relaxing or heat-treating her hair. She, however, says that maintaining natural hair is expensive since the products used are quite costly.
The beauty queen is against the use of chemicals in African women’s hair and according to her, the thick African mane is indeed a signature of African beauty. This is evident in most of her pictures even on red carpet events where she keeps a natural look.
The modeling industry requires one to have flawless skin, Diana who also works as a commercial model mentioned that she only uses coconut oil for her skin.
And when we asked about the skin lightening wave that has hit most parts of Africa she poses, “Why would a woman lighten her skin and later have side effects? Most of these products in the market are not safe, it is not necessary” Says the brand ambassador for a natural skin line of products, which she mentioned is what she uses and it is all-natural.
Diana shares stories about women who come to her and ask about her skincare routine she advises them to stick to natural methods. “But you know most of these women want to be lighter so even when they ask for advice some of them still go back and use the lightening creams, it is like a quick remedy to beauty which I don’t think is right,” says Diana who says her skin complexion is chocolate and she is very proud of it. An interesting fact we learned about Diana is she makes her own food.” I rarely eat out. I ensure that I prepare my own food so as to make it healthy, she says. She mentioned that she tries to eat a lot of vegetables and also uses vegetable oils when preparing her meals.”


I eat eggs once in a while so that I can get hips,” she says and laughs about it. She also takes a lot of natural juices which she prepares herself. According to Diana if she doesn’t stick to a strict diet she has the potential of gaining weight since her mother and sisters are genetically big.” My father is lean and athletic but my mother is big. I happen to have inherited most of my features from my father” According to Diana who reminds us that for one to be a beauty queen you must watch your waistline, says that we have women who are plus size and they are still beautiful, however it is good to avoid obesity since it comes with a lot of complications.
While many of us are busy going to the gym to exercise and keep fit the 24-year-old just dances the weight away. “I have managed to stay fit by dancing, though not professionally I just do it by myself and it has really helped me stay in shape,” Diana says when she won the competition her weight was slightly below her current weight of 54kgs but as she matures, she knows better to maintain her body mass index (BMI).