South Africa's Nyasha Zimucha Crowned Miss Africa USA 2008-2009

Miss South Africa Nyasha Zimucha being crowned Miss Africa USA 2008-2009 by Miss Africa 2007-2008 Mfonobong Essiet as Miss Black USA Kristen Elizabeth White looks on. It all happened on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Georgia.


Photo courtesy of Miss Africa USA

Miss Africa USA 2008: The Roll Call and the Crown

Two more days and a new Miss Africa USA 2008-2009 will be crowned at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Georgia. It's been quite a hurdle for the contestants; from thinking about it and getting prepared.

The Finalists: Daniele Ntahonkiriye (Burundi); Daniele Mingana Frankie Fochive (Cameroon); Andrea Mvemba (Democratic Republic of Congo); Aziza Eltieb (Ethiopia); Tanta Badjan (Gambia); Krystle Simpson (Ghana); Binta Binette Diao (Guinea); Victoria Njau (Kenya); Belloh Julius (Liberia); Esosa Edosomwan (Nigeria); Mariamma Brown (Senegal); Philippa Lahai-Swaray (Sierra Leone); Nyasha Zimucha (South Africa); Natalia Zambakari (South Sudan); Imat Akelo-Opio Uganda); Mutinta Suuya (Zambia); Busi Mlambo (Zimbabwe) and Kikelomo Togbe-Olory (Benin).

All candidates are without a doubt fit for the crown.

The show is being sponsored by No Pin Long Distance, Western Union, Estella Couture, African Independent Television, L Shandi Designs and many others.

The winner of the Miss Africa USA 2008 will walk away with a "total package up to $10,000."

Goodluck, y'all!

Go Africa Go!

Enter Guinea's Binta Binette Diao

As Brittany Lyons of Jamaica clinched a spot to represent Jamaica in Miss World Pageant to be held on Saturday, December 13, 2008, at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg, South Africa, with a completion of a photo shoot at the Jamaican Pergasus Hotel in Jamaica last night, so too, is little known Binta Binette Diao from Guinea who might be popping in to the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Georgia, on Saturday, November 1, 2008, with a whole lot of surprises.

I've said it over and over again; it's anybody's night when all the fanfare and catwalks begins to showcase the most beautiful and glamorous African ladies in Diaspora. The after party is what I'm looking forward to, and for sure, it's going to be one of those nights.

For 21-year-old Binta who stands at five-feet eight inches and weighing 145 Ibs kind of would take the panel of judges to Tobacco Road where fierce competitions are made on a turf not fabricated but real. Everybody is a winner as long as you keep your head up to focus on what's out there for you. I will be wrapping up this series on the call sheet tomorrow before I take off, and I hope Saturday night in Jonesboro will be a night to remember.

Goodluck and keep the faith!

Go Africa Go!

Kikelomo Togbe-Olory To Represent Benin

Ain't she already a model with that kinda look? You bet!

I had said it was going to be explosive that November 1st night at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Georgia; and quite frankly, the best is yet to come especially when you have the 1984 Alaska Beauty Queen Maryline Blackburn and movie producer Marlon D'Wayne aka Marlon Campbell co-hosting Miss Africa USA 2008.

For 21-year-old Kikelomo Togbe-Olory who just checked in, it's all for grabs and she is determined to do her best in serving the African Continent by way of humanitarian and worthy causes to make the entire continent a better place.

Standing at five-feet eight inches and weighing 105 Ibs, her stats tells a whole lot about her physique and how ready she is for decision day. Kikelomo is currently studying Architecture at the University of Maryland, College Park. Kikelomo plans to move back to Benin when through with academics to start up an architectural firm that would build homes to help the less fortunate in her native land. Good luck!

Go Africa Go!

Movie Producer Marlon D'Wayne To Co Host The 4th Annual Miss Africa USA Scholarship Pageant

From The Open Press

Marlon D’wayne, aka Marlon Campbell to Co Host the 4th Annual Miss Africa USA Scholarship Pageant.

(OPENPRESS) October 27, 2008 -- With much of the nation’s attention duly focused on finances and how the upcoming elections will affect the country’s future, movie producer Marlon D’wayne, aka Marlon Campbell is responding by serving families and communities throughout the country. Marlon D’wayne announced his dual role as Humanitarian Ambassador to the Millenia Hope Foundation and Good Will Ambassador for the African Women’s Development Foundation, official producers of the Miss Africa USA Scholarship Pageant. On Saturday November 1, 2008 Marlon D’wayne and Miss Alaska 1984, Maryline Blackburn will host The 4th Annual Miss Africa USA Scholarship Pageant, at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Georgia.

President and CEO of the African Women’s Development, and also the executive producer of The 4th Annual Miss Africa USA Scholarship Pageant is Lady Kate Njeuma. The Miss Africa USA Pageant is open to delegates from all 53 countries that make up the continent of Africa, the motherland. Pageant delegates are simply ordinary women of African descent living in America and facing every day challenges of growing up in two different cultures. Each year a strong team of volunteers and supporters of the pageant from the community commit time and effort to make the pageant a great success. This years Annual Miss Africa USA Pageant proceeds will benefit women and children in Education, Healthcare and children’s Rights in Africa and the USA.

As Ambassador to The Millenia Hope Foundation, and Good Will Ambassador to African Women’s Foundation, Marlon D’wayne will assist the private foundation with a global mission of supporting indigenous people who have contracted tropical infectious diseases, in particular, AIDS, and Malaria. Millenia Hope Foundation addresses the distresses of undeveloped countries. Presently, Africa.

“I am in complete agreement with the process of self-actualization of the African people to determine their own destiny. The goals of MHF, is to first raise funds for the needy, the impoverished, the dehydrated and the sick of Africa. Secondly, provide medical and educational help, medicine, medical supplies, water, pumps and filtration systems, educational supplies and services. Thirdly, teach them how to become self sustaining in this beautiful world of ours. The mission of Millenia Hope is so exact for humanity and perfectly suits the objectives of the UN’s Millenia Development goals. The team at Millenia Hope is committed to research and development to deliver on global medical needs and to bring hope through healthcare solutions. I am honored to be a part of both the MHP and ADF.” Marlon D’wayne, states.

Marlon D’wayne is currently gearing up for his highly anticipated major motion picture film Oblivious. With an impressive cast including actor Bokeem Woodbine, Michael B. Jordan, Lauren Barrett, Eric Martinez, Sahara Garey, the film is scheduled for a summer 2009 release.

ABOUT: Millenia Hope Foundation (MHF) is a non-for-profit organization established in 2004. Through national and international collaboration and partnerships, MHF acts as a catalyst for realizing the full potential of therapeutic healing for various tropical diseases such as Malaria. MHF, now has access to products that may greatly lessen the burden and eliminate an enormous toll on human health, well being and the economies of various southern continents.

A Look At Cameroon's Danielle Mingana Frankie Fochive And Miss Africa USA 2008

Well, it's closing up. The D-Day is just around the corner and from what it looks like the contestants are not taking anything for granted. Much has been said already and the panel of judges are now battling with the anxiety stuff in what they probably think would be a fair judgement to the winner on that Saturday that starts the month of November in the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Eight. How about that?

For 21-year-old Cameroonian-born Danielle Mingana Frankie Fochive, it's anybody's game and she is battle-ready to a gathering that brings down the house where Africans are doing some great stuff to help Motherland Africa, the origin of man in scientific terms.

Danielle has done pretty much besides her academic pursuits of being an eye doctor or oncologist based on how she makes up her mind in the course of her studies at Montgomery College at Takoma Park in Maryland. Volunteering in churches, 'participatring in bible study with children, ' organizing in fund raising activities to help kids during the Christmas season and helping to feed the hungry during Thanksgiving tells a whole lot about a girl who had humble beginnings and raised by her aunt from a country that has one of the highest literacy rate on the African Continent.

Danielle has a dream and that dream is to be crowned Miss Africa USA 2008 on November 1st at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Georgia. I will be there and I will be cheering to all the 17 beautiful African contestants that have so far shown that black is beautiful as the magic of blackness unveils on Mt Zion Parkway.

Goodluck Danielle!

Go Africa Go!

Liberia's Belloh Julius And Determination

For sure, the clock is moving real fast and I'm yet to pack my stuff for the journey that will make Mt Zion Parkway look like Hollywood Boulevard on that Saturday, November 1, at Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Georgia when Miss Africa USA will be crowned for 2008.

For Liberia's 23-year-old Bellow Julius, I think she came a long way and determined to give it her best on that day. Standing at five-feet nine inches and weighing 127Ibs, she's got a shot like any other contender based on how hard she'd worked over the years. Now nearing completion toward her bachelor's degree in Interior Design at the Art Institute of Atlanta, her pastime is just amazing. She enjoys drawing, painting, writing poetry and modeling.

Also, she has done a lot of volunteer work and specifically for the Liberian Association of Metropolitan Atlanta Health Fair and the Women of Fire Liberian Children's Family Day. Her resume speaks volumes and she is in.

Goodluck!

Go Africa Go!

Sierra Leone's Philippa Makoni Lahai-Swaray

23-year-old Philippa Makoni Lahai-Swaray's story and her bid for the Miss Africa USA is quite interesting considering how far she came and at this point still waxing strong and never giving up. Standing at five-feet four-inches tall and weighing 130Ibs, Philippa was born in Sierra Leone but spent her younger years in London excelling in sports to a point she was one of "London's top school athletes."

Majoring in Criminology at Alabama State University, she was a member of the track and field team. Though, briefly at ASU, she was awarded full schorlarship at East Tennessee State University in track and field. Tragedy struck Philippa in an automobile accident at East Tennessee keeping her off tracks with 'broken legs and shattered left ankle.' She survived and moved on.

Still at East Tnnessee State, she aspires to attend law school with specialty in International Corporate Law. And with all that courage and surviving the battle wounds, Philippa wants to use herself as a model by 'proudly representing the Africa Diaspora' in the event she captures the crown.

I salute your courage and good luck!

Go Africa Go!

The Courageous Andrea Mvemba and Miss Africa USA

We probably will be seeing one of the most in-demand in the global world of fashion and modelling based on the African context when the winner of the 2008 Miss Africa USA is announced at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Georgia on Saturday, November 1, 2008.

The festivities is coming much closer and exciting. It is becoming more engaging especially when all the contestants are looking forward to a sound and progressive future with either their academic pursuits or dedication to improving their lives and helping others.

For Democratic Republic of the Congo contestant, 19-year-old Andrea Mvemba is showing it's anybody's game when it comes to unique events like the one that will be unfolding on Mt Zion Parkway. Standing at five-feet seven inches tall and weighing 125 Ibs, no question, she has the statistics to make it.

Andrea is currently a shophomore majoring in psychology at Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia. She aspires to obtain a PhD in Clinical Psychology by the time she is through with academics. Hang in there and Goodluck!

Go Africa Go!

Krystle Simpson, Faith in God and Miss Africa USA

Standing at five-feet eleven-inches tall and weighing 125 Ibs, 20-year-old Krystle Simpson, the current Miss Ghana USA will be representing Ghana at the Miss Africa USA on November 1 at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Georgia. The "D-Day" is fast approaching and for sure, the contestants are gearing up for this unique event which will have Mt. Zion Parkaway jammed on that very day with Africans from all walks of life showcasing one way or the other the African cultural heritage.

For Krystle, who lives in Germantown, Maryland and a pre-med major at Montgomery College, she is not leaving any stone unturned and her guiding light to the crown has been her faith in God to realize that dream of becoming the next Miss Africa USA.

In the event she wins the title, Krystle would like to use her wealth of experience in the United States and coachings from her mother to help her people in the African Continent by way of providing resources in knowledge-based programs about diseases and its prevention.

Krystle describes herself as a team player, loves basketball and is pursuing a modelling career alongside her academic pursuit. Goodluck!

Go Africa Go!

Nathalia Zambakari and Beating the Odds

The conflicts and power struggle
The war torn Sudan
The refugee camps and squatting
The relocations and a world full of uncertainties
A world filled with starvation, drought and famine
The children, the women and Genocide

This sounds very familiar with 21-year-old Nathalia Zambakari who grew up in Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda before relocating to the United States. That movement unquestionably has given her the "opportunity to learn more about different but similar cultures."

No question, she's in for the contest and on November 1, 2008, she will be representing Sudan on Mt. Zion Parkway at the Clayton County Performance Arts Center in Jonesboro, Georgia where she will be joining her fellow African ladies in the bid for the crown -- Miss Africa USA 2008.

Nathalia loves soccer and does a lot of volunteer work by way of community service. Goodluck girl, I like your spirit and keep your head up!

Go Africa Go!

Zimbabwe's Busi Mlambo

Harare-born 27-year-old Busi Mlambo arrived the shores of the United States eight years ago and has a whole lot to show for it. A graduate of Political Science and a Law Degree from the University of Texas School of Law indicates how strong she has been in character. She graduated in May and was a Parliamentarian at the Thurgood Marshall Legal Society, a local chapter of the National Black Law Students Association. Her devotion to law "was to be an advocate for the promotion and protection of women's rights in the neediest regions of the world."

She has many reasons for the road to Mt. Zion Parkway at the Clayton County Performance Arts Center in Jonesboro, Georgia on November 1, 2008. And considering herself 'fortunate,' and as Miss Africa USA, she '"would promote the education of African women." Without a doubt, it's anybody's game as the clock is tickling real fast for the showdown on Mt Zion Parkaway.

Go Africa Go!

Aziza Elteib and the Road to Mt. Zion Parkway

"Fun" is now the operative word for the 4th Annual Miss Africa USA slated to be jamming on Mt Zion Parkway, at the Clayton County Performance Arts Center in Jonesboro, Georgia on November 1. I have quite been asked what designer clothing am I going to be putting on that day, and guess what? Absolutely no Prada, Armani, Fioravanti, Joseph Feiss, Kenneth Cole, Yves Saint Laurent and the rest hyped-up designers -- you know what I am talking about.

I will be going local since all politics are local according to Tip O'Neil. I will be having on a well tailored suit by my own African brother, Ghanaian-born designer, Oswald Boateng, the guru at London's Saville Row. Being a fashion freak and since life is already too short, I do not think it will be appropriate for me to patronize some foreign designers any further, particularly on an African night where my beautiful African sisters on African attire will be catwalking and showcasing the stuff of African cultural heritage on the runway in a contest every contender will be a winner -- and in your face --with the State Rep Mike Glanton (D - Jonesboro) appreciating the night of blackness and the magic of happiness which is the symbol of Motherland Africa.

I am a regular at the cafes and bars at Little Ethiopia by the Wilshire Corridor on Miracle Mile, here in Los Angeles. Ethiopians are cultural and easy going fellows with an awesome night life habits. Their bars and restaurants are always packed with a whole lot of smiling and beautiful faces you could not even imagine.

And just last night, as I was hanging out, the talk about Aziza Eltieb popped up. So when 21-year-old Aziza pops up as the choice for Ethiopia for the final showdown on November 1, I know what to expect based on my pub-crawling on Fairfax, the main hub of the Ethiopian community in Los Angeles. These guys on Fairfax talk as if it is NCAA Basketball when the struggle to Tobacco Road becomes a game of wits and all that. It's not so. Aziza is heading to Mt. Zion Parkway for a shot to the crown -- Miss Africa USA 2008.

Standing at five-feet-nine inches tall and weighing 125 Lbs gives her the 'great pride to represent Ethiopia.' and what motivates her is the ambitious nature to uplift her community in Ethiopia. Goodluck!

Go Africa Go!

Uganda's Imat Akelo-Opio and the Quest for Miss Africa USA 2008

The clock is tickling and it's really amazing how time goes by quick, just like that. For the last four months, the selection for representatives toward the 4th Annual Miss Africa USA has brought about some heated debates in the glamorous world of beauty, modelling and fashion fests in the African context.

I have been watching the entire episode with keen interest for the fact that I will be popping up at Jonesboro, Georgia on November 1, the venue of the said event. Meanwhile, going through the call sheet, this year's Miss Africa USA is challenging on many grounds -- most of the delegates, if not all, are professionals in their respective rights and they seem to be living up to the roll call and requirements.

Standing at five-feet-five inches tall and weighing 110lbs, 24-year-old Imat Akelo-Opio who holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Data Management is one of them. She is also an actress, choreographer, singer and activist who has stood for worthy causes. As Miss Uganda USA 2008 and one who has travelled extensively, Imat, who wants to inspire young African women living in the United States stressed about bridging the stereotypical gap that has been a common place thing in our present society. In her own words, she points out:

As Miss Africa USA my aim firstly is to empower Africa as one people. There is power through education, encouragement and unity as one entity. I also aim to abolish the stereotypical idea and to remove the stigma that the world has placed on Africa as helpless, needy and wanting. Instead I will promote and educate the World with the mighty doings of Africa, of who we are, what we stand for and what we as a powerhouse have achieved, of what we are currently achieving and of where we have set our sights for the future of our Motherland.

For sure it's going to be a hell of a show come November 1st, and you bet I will be jumping on the next flight on November 2nd back to the City of Angels to await on a tickling clock for my daughter's birthday and the primetime announcement of president-elect of the United States of America, Senator Barack Obama.

That day, every contestant will be a winner, nevertheless.

Go Africa Go!

Photo courtesy of Miss Africa USA

South Africa's Nyasha Zimucha For Miss Africa USA 2008

The line up for this year's Miss Africa USA Competition is obviously becoming engaging and the characters quite interesting. 23-year-old Nyasha Zimucha who grew up during the Apartheid era in South Africa knows what it is and as a living witness she learned to forgive and renconcile as did the Truth and Reconciliation Commission established by the Nelson Mandela administration when the curtains of Apartheid fell.

Nyasha, now an activist due to the recent racial attacks in her native land is promoting peace and oneness so xenophobic attacks could be stopped once and for all, and peace could be given a chance. And as Miss South Africa USA 2008, she is definitely using her position to effect that.

Adding to her resume, she is a dancer, a singer, a model and public speaker. She is currently filming a show titled "Little Miss Perfect" about a "celebrity judge on a Pageant show" which airs on WETV in late Fall.

On November 1, at the Clayton County Performance Arts Centre in Jonesboro, Georgia, Nyasha will be joining Esosa Edosomwan (Nigeria), Victoria Njau (Kenya), Daniele Ntahonkiriye (Burundi), Daniele Fochive (Cameroon), Andrea Mvemba (DR Congo), Kristle Simpson (Ghana), Imat Akelo-Opio (Uganda), Tanta Badjan (Gambia), Belloh Julius (Liberia), Mariamma Brown (Senegal), Philippa Lahai Swaray (Sierra Leone), Nathali Zambakari (Sudan) Bita Dioa (Guinea), Aziza Elteib (Ethiopia), Mutinta Suuya(Zambia) and Busi Mlambo (Zimbabwe) in the race for the crown.

Goodluck and I am looking forward to this event.

Go Africa Go!

Photo courtesy of Miss Africa USA

Esosa Edosomwan to represent Nigeria in Miss Africa USA 2008

After working her way through Cornell University College of Human Ecology and majoring in textiles and apparel design, and announced the winner of 2005 Heermans-McCalmon one-set playing contest for her manuscript Vivian X, at Cornell, multi-talented 24-year-old Esosa Edosomwan took her talent to another level. The actress/writer/director with a post-graduate degree in business from Columbia University is not taking any chances and has entered her bid for the Miss Africa USA 2008 contest scheduled to be held on November 1, 2008 at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Georgia.

So far, the delegates have been made known and hopefully the casting crew and organizers in this year's glamorous Miss Africa USA would be able to go places and collect series of endorsements from high profile designers and top-notch fashion magazines.

It would be indeed welcoming to see African models display their physique on the runways of notable fashion designers, and what that means is that, the organizers of the show should start moving beyond community service and outreach programs in order to lift the models to newer heights for universal coverage.

For Esosa, she has all it takes to be crowned Miss Africa USA. With her academic credentials, dedication, physique and hardwork, she is worthy. On October 10, 2008, she will be joining 'Words of Choice', a non profit theatre group in a performance at Fort Hays State University, KS, 'as a benefit in remembrance of Jana Mackey, a young activist who was murdered earlier this year.' Her resume speaks for itself.

Go Africa Go!

PHOTO OP: Victoria Njau, Kenya's Rising Star

Victoria Njau was born in Kenya 23 years ago and has a double major -- Biology and Business Management -- at the University of Texas in Dallas and aspires to enlist in medical school when she gets over her first degree.

She has submitted her bid for the 4th Annual Miss Africa USA Pageant 2008 which will be held at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Georgia on Saturday, November 1, 2008. Njau said as the new Miss Kenya her 'desire' would be focussed on the Kenyan community in the United States and in the event she is crowned Miss Africa USA 2008, that she will "seek more sponsorship and support to continue making positive changes in the lives of Africans."

You go girl, and goodluck!

To check the schedule of events, visit Miss Africa USA

Photo courtesy of Dave McKeen