TANZANIA, July 6 -- JUST when you thought the Tanzanian beauty pageant scene had been laid gently to rest, like a oncebeloved family heirloom placed at the back of a cupboard up pops a twist so poetic, even Shaaban Robert himself might have raised an eyebrow.

To begin with, the old guard quietly bowed out. Or rather, they were shown the door.

In a move that had all the elegance of a royal scandal, the National Arts Council of Tanzania (BASATA) to friends and paperwork revoked the license of The Look Company, custodians of the Miss Tanzania pageant.

Yes, the very franchise that was supposed to send our home-grown queens to the glittering global stage of Miss World.

Now, one doesnt simply cancel Miss Tanzania and carry on as if nothings...