Who will be face of Africa 2010?
IT has been nothing short of surreal for the girls that have taken part in season eight of M-Net’s Face of Africa (FOA) Competition. For the first time since the show was launched, FOA had 17 series as opposed to the usual four.
By vision reporter
IT has been nothing short of surreal for the girls that have taken part in season eight of M-Net’s Face of Africa (FOA) Competition. For the first time since the show was launched, FOA had 17 series as opposed to the usual four.
While our Ugandan contestant was the 13th to be eliminated, Uganda is not completely out of the show. Gloria Wavamunno, a local designer, will be part of the final which will be screened live on DStv’s M-Net channel tomorrow. Below are the profiles of the remaining contestants.
Blessing Bassey, 21, Nigeria
Greatest influence: Oluchi Onweagba
The pasta-loving Nigerian says the best thing about the FOA is the modelling knowledge she has gained so far in the competition. Blessey relaxes by reading and enjoys watching soapies and movies.
Ernania Rainha Manuel, 18, Mozambique
She says the best things about Africa are the animals and the nature while she also enjoys the beauty of Paris. Her family has always encouraged her and told her she has a bright future ahead.
Luvuvamu Esperanca Vemba, 21, Angola
She is a model and enjoys eating pasta, reading books by Dr Phil and is a big fan of scary movies. Her favourite spot on the continent is Zanzibar, because of its natural beauty. She lists her mother as her role model.
Lilian Alphonce Mduda, 21 Tanzania
She loves reading romantic and fiction novels. Her favourite food is rice and beans. She says the best thing about Africa is “the polite and courteous people†and she would love to visit Paris. Lilian loves basketball and tennis. She also listens to music and reads to relax.
Lukando Nalungwe, 22, Zambia
Lukando loves to watch movies. She says the best thing about Africa is its “beautiful historic places and wildlife†and names Paris as her favourite place.
Marvis Chinelo Offor, 20, Nigeria
She enjoys watching Style.com and Don't Forget The Lyrics on television. Her favourite actress is fellow Nigerian Stephanie Ekereke and she lists another Nigerian, Face of Africa winner Oluchi Onweagba as her role model. She is proud of reaching the semi-finals of FOA because she has learnt more during the competition. The best advice she ever heard came from her father and was short and simple: “Always work hard.â€
Tholakele Dlamini, 23 Zimbabwe
The Harare-born model enjoys the music of Enrique, Ciara, Ashanti and Donnie McClurkin and enjoys animated movies - as her two favourites. Her favourite place in Africa is Zimbabwe and she says the best thing about Africa is that “it is beautiful, unique and has natural wonders.†Tholakele says her mother is her role model . Her best FOA experience to date was working with Josie Borain.
Rosanna Hall, Zimbabwe
She hails from Harare and loves pizza and tobleron. Her favourite books are Pride and Prejudice and Things Fall Apart. Her first-ever sighting of the sea during FOA boot camp instantly made Mombasa her favourite place in Africa.
The best thing about Africa is that “we are all so different and diverse but we can come together like old friends.†She says the best thing about Face of Africa is the fact that she gets to travel and see beautiful places she never even knew existed.
Thembi Kobedi, 22, South Africa
She loves chicken and seafood. Her favourite book is The Secret. Her role model is Lerato Moloi because “she is a hard worker, calm and a very respectful lady.†Thembi’s life has been influenced mostly by her mother.
She says the best thing about FOA is learning about modelling and meeting new people like Josie Borain.
Diana, Nekoye Sifuna, 22 Kenya
Nicknamed "Simbaress", she says her home country is her favourite place in Africa because it is “peaceful, beautiful, exotic and friendlyâ€. Her mom has influenced her life most and her role model is her father because he practises what he preaches.
Diana says the best thing about FOA is meeting people of the same age group from different countries and the modelling discipline the scouts and judges instil in the contestants.
Gloria Wavamunno, designer Uganda
Wavamunno, is the proprietor of GW Designs. She will be among the designers to showcase their designs during the competition.
Wavamunno has had enough experience with fashion and draws inspiration not only from the fashion era of the glamorous 1950’s to 60’s, and the chic/funk from the 1980’s but also from her country’s culture as well from her continent’s, Africa. GW had its continental debut at Arise Africa Fashion Week 2009 in South Africa, which led to a GW dress, worn by top model Oluchi, being on the cover of the Arise Magazine, July issue, 2009.
IT has been nothing short of surreal for the girls that have taken part in season eight of M-Net’s Face of Africa (FOA) Competition. For the first time since the show was launched, FOA had 17 series as opposed to the usual four.
While our Ugandan contestant was the 13th to be eliminated, Uganda is not completely out of the show. Gloria Wavamunno, a local designer, will be part of the final which will be screened live on DStv’s M-Net channel tomorrow. Below are the profiles of the remaining contestants.
Blessing Bassey, 21, Nigeria
Greatest influence: Oluchi Onweagba
The pasta-loving Nigerian says the best thing about the FOA is the modelling knowledge she has gained so far in the competition. Blessey relaxes by reading and enjoys watching soapies and movies.
Ernania Rainha Manuel, 18, Mozambique
She says the best things about Africa are the animals and the nature while she also enjoys the beauty of Paris. Her family has always encouraged her and told her she has a bright future ahead.
Luvuvamu Esperanca Vemba, 21, Angola
She is a model and enjoys eating pasta, reading books by Dr Phil and is a big fan of scary movies. Her favourite spot on the continent is Zanzibar, because of its natural beauty. She lists her mother as her role model.
Lilian Alphonce Mduda, 21 Tanzania
She loves reading romantic and fiction novels. Her favourite food is rice and beans. She says the best thing about Africa is “the polite and courteous people†and she would love to visit Paris. Lilian loves basketball and tennis. She also listens to music and reads to relax.
Lukando Nalungwe, 22, Zambia
Lukando loves to watch movies. She says the best thing about Africa is its “beautiful historic places and wildlife†and names Paris as her favourite place.
Marvis Chinelo Offor, 20, Nigeria
She enjoys watching Style.com and Don't Forget The Lyrics on television. Her favourite actress is fellow Nigerian Stephanie Ekereke and she lists another Nigerian, Face of Africa winner Oluchi Onweagba as her role model. She is proud of reaching the semi-finals of FOA because she has learnt more during the competition. The best advice she ever heard came from her father and was short and simple: “Always work hard.â€
Tholakele Dlamini, 23 Zimbabwe
The Harare-born model enjoys the music of Enrique, Ciara, Ashanti and Donnie McClurkin and enjoys animated movies - as her two favourites. Her favourite place in Africa is Zimbabwe and she says the best thing about Africa is that “it is beautiful, unique and has natural wonders.†Tholakele says her mother is her role model . Her best FOA experience to date was working with Josie Borain.
Rosanna Hall, Zimbabwe
She hails from Harare and loves pizza and tobleron. Her favourite books are Pride and Prejudice and Things Fall Apart. Her first-ever sighting of the sea during FOA boot camp instantly made Mombasa her favourite place in Africa.
The best thing about Africa is that “we are all so different and diverse but we can come together like old friends.†She says the best thing about Face of Africa is the fact that she gets to travel and see beautiful places she never even knew existed.
Thembi Kobedi, 22, South Africa
She loves chicken and seafood. Her favourite book is The Secret. Her role model is Lerato Moloi because “she is a hard worker, calm and a very respectful lady.†Thembi’s life has been influenced mostly by her mother.
She says the best thing about FOA is learning about modelling and meeting new people like Josie Borain.
Diana, Nekoye Sifuna, 22 Kenya
Nicknamed "Simbaress", she says her home country is her favourite place in Africa because it is “peaceful, beautiful, exotic and friendlyâ€. Her mom has influenced her life most and her role model is her father because he practises what he preaches.
Diana says the best thing about FOA is meeting people of the same age group from different countries and the modelling discipline the scouts and judges instil in the contestants.
Gloria Wavamunno, designer Uganda
Wavamunno, is the proprietor of GW Designs. She will be among the designers to showcase their designs during the competition.
Wavamunno has had enough experience with fashion and draws inspiration not only from the fashion era of the glamorous 1950’s to 60’s, and the chic/funk from the 1980’s but also from her country’s culture as well from her continent’s, Africa. GW had its continental debut at Arise Africa Fashion Week 2009 in South Africa, which led to a GW dress, worn by top model Oluchi, being on the cover of the Arise Magazine, July issue, 2009.