Sharon KavhuAt least 13 countries are expected to participate in the Miss Africa Continent Pageant 2016 to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, at the end of this month.
According to Vantle online, the pageant which is set for April 30, has participants from 13 African countries namely Angola, Burundi, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Themed ‘African Pride’, the objective of the pageant is to promote unity in Africa and fight against poverty and xenophobia.
While Africa is voting and doing some final preparations for the event, The Southern Times has prepared a brief summary of the beauty pageants who are representing the region in the Miss Africa Continental Pageant 2016.
Angola
Carisa De Jesus Guimar is representing Angola. She calls herself Ms Cary.
Guimar is originally from Angola but stays in South Africa where she studied at the University of Johannesburg. She was crowned Miss Congeniality and first princess Angola-South Africa in 2011. The Angolan model seem to be excited about the pageant as she posted, ‘Miss Africa tour has begun. ..Excitement chills’ on her Instagram where she also uploaded a video of the beauty queens touring South Africa.
Lesotho
Beauty queens Karabelo Makara (18) and Thotoane Motlomelo (23) are expected to represent Lesotho.
Makara was crowned Miss Teen Kingdom Nation 2015 and she was also the first princess of Miss Queen of Tourism Lesotho the same year. The teenager seems to be loving her modelling career as evident by her Facebook posts.
On the other hand, Motlomelo was crowned Miss Crown Royale in 2015.
The two beauty queens told the Weekender newspaper last week that they were up for the challenge and promised to bring the title home.
“When I browsed through the list of entrants on the Miss Africa pageant social media page, the competition looked intimidating especially contestants from Guinea and DRC who are very tall,” said Makara.
“However, I am up for any challenge.
I am a very competitive and determined person who is intent on bringing the crown home.”
Motlomelo was also quoted saying, “I went for auditions and photo-shoots with some of the contestants earlier this year, and I have not seen any competition. Therefore nothing will stop me from bringing the crown home,” in the same publication.
Namibia
Steffi Van Wyk (24) is representing Namibia. She was born October 23, 1991 studied in South Africa and was employed at her previous high school, Jan Mohr Secondary School in Windhoek, as a sports organiser and part-time fitness instructor until 2015. When her contract with the school expired, she fully devoted herself to her title as Miss Namibia 2015 and also competed at Miss World 2015.
Zambia
The country is being represented by Valerie Muuka Lungu and Michelo.
Lungu went to Linda High School and lives in Johannesburg, South Africa. She works at Angel and News Café Emperors. She also has a site of discovering and creative fashion on pinterest.
Zimbabwe
Annie Grace Mutambu (20) is representing Zimbabwe in Miss Africa Continent 2016. She was Miss World Zimbabwe 2015 representative who replaced Emily Tatanga Kachote after the latter was dethroned due to violating the rules and regulations after she allegedly posed for nude pictures.
Born on February 27, 1996 in Zimbabwe, the 20-year old did her secondary education at Dominican Convent School in Harare.
She was quoted by The Herald last week saying she is excited about the event and promised to do all it takes in her capability to bring the crown the home.
“I am happy with the opportunity that has come my way during my tenure as Miss Zimbabwe World……..I am promising to represent my country with all my heart and also try to bring pleasing results. It is every model’s dream to bring a crown in every contest and that is what I am looking forward to,” said Mutambu.
South Africa, Malawi, Burundi and DRC
South Africa is being represented by three beauty queens: Jemimah, Laila and Musa, while Malawi is being represented by Veronica Bowrzi. Burundi is being represented by Christella and Democratic Republic of Congo is being represented by Wivine Lenyu.
However, efforts to get details on the progressions of the event was fruitless as The Southern Times sent an email to Miss Africa Continent organising team but, did not receive responses by the time of going to print. On the other hand, there is no official site for the event other than the social Facebook page.
http://southernafrican.news/2016/04/26/13-countries-in-miss-africa-pageant/