Ghana's Kate Menson is Africa's New Face

Photo courtesy of African Futurist

A highly criticized "Face of Africa" contest came to an end Saturday, November 29 when Ghana's 23-year-old Kate Aba Techie Menson beat the other nine finalist in Sun City's Super Bowl, South Africa. The nine finalist were Alli Balogun (Nigeria), Hamamat Montia (Ghana), Hiwot (Ethiopia), Joana (Angola), Lucy torr(Uganda), Maria Hiwilepo (Namibia), Noxi (Zambia) and Sasa (South Africa).

Menson who was discovered in Accra earlier this year takes home $50,000 plus a modelling contract from Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandis' O Model Africa.

Hamamat And Menson To Represent Ghana In Face Of Africa

Hamamat Montia -- Ghana Web File Photo


As the final casting venue for the Face of Africa comes up at the Hotel Alvalade in Angola, 20-year-old beauty queen, Hamamat Montia and 22-year-old Kate Aba Techie Menson were chosen by the model scouts in Accra, Ghana, held about a couple of weeks ago.

With casting now almost complete, the showdown begins in earnest as all the contestants heads to the Scenic Island of Zanzibar where 10 finalists will emerge for the catwalk and runway shows in Sun City, South Africa on Saturday, November 29.

Uganda And Tanzania Gets Its Pick For Face Of Africa

23-year-old Lucy Torr of Uganda

19-year-old Hellen Avelinus Ambrose of Tanzania

While Ugandan's pick Lucy Torr, a bi-racial of Canadian and Ugandan parents whose identity is yet to be known since she was selected over a week ago, 19-year-old Hellen Avelinus Ambrose was Tanzania's choice in M-Net Face Of Africa beauty contest, making her the fifth finalist to head to Zanzibar's Scenic Island in October for the Boot Camp where the top 10 finalists will emerge for the final showdown in Sun City, South Africa. Lucy and Hellen now joins Totwana, Albertina and Maria in the quest for the crown.

M-Net Face Of Africa 2008 Call Sheet

When M-Net Face of Africa casting crew and scouts finally announced Totwana 'Tito' Tema as the choice from Botswana and the first pick in this year's contest followed by the picks of Albertina Shigwedha and Maria Hiwilepo from Namibia, the good guess was other picks would be made public as soon as possible.

Apparently, the contest seems to be going through a lot of careful examination since its cross continental expedition began when Tema was selected in Botswana. Whatever the process, the results from Kampala, Uganda on September 6; Dar'es Salaam, Tanzania on September 9; Nairobi, Kenya on September 13; and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on September 16 are yet to be announced (Lucy Torr of Uganda rumored to have been the pick) with its next move to Lagos, Nigeria on September 20. It is becoming interesting and the nosy public wants some lights to be shed and we all wish this prestigious event the best.

Go Africa!

PHOTO OP: Ugandan Model Salma Nassanga

Former Ugandan Beauty Queen was the first Ugandan model to have cleared the hurdle up to the Boot Camp two years ago in M-Net's Face of Africa Contest. The pick from Uganda in this year's contest which was held on September 6 is yet to be announced. So far three models --Totwana 'Tito' Tema, Albertina Shigwedha and Maria Hiwilepo -- have been selected for the finale of the new season's show which will be held in Sun City, South Africa on November 29.

The scouting team's next stop will be in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on September 16, followed by Lagos, Nigeria September 20; Accra, Ghana September 23; Maputo, Mozambique, September 27; Lusaka, Zambia, October 1; Johannesburg, South Africa, October 4; and Luanda, Angola, October 7 before the booth camp and final showdown.

Go Africa!

Photo courtesy of SOHU

Three Down And Twenty-One To Go On Face Of Africa

19-year-old hairdresser Albertina Shigwedha

24-year-old student pilot Maria Hiwilepo Photo courtesy of Faith Models

The heat is definitely on with choices going through rigorous scrutiny giving Africa's most vibrant beauty contest a mark that is beginning to set its tone globally. Since no one was picked in Malawi and while the identity of the girl from Uganda in Saturday's search is yet to be known, two more names has been added --Namibia's 19-year-old hairdresser Albertina Shigwedha and 24-year-old student pilot Maria Hiwilepo, joining Botswana's Totwana 'Tito' Tema in the quest for an Africa beauty queen to be held in Sun City, South Africa in November.

The pick from Uganda during the weekend scouting will be announced later this week. Go Africa Go!!