Daily Independent (Lagos)
Temitope David-Adegboye With Agency Report
29 November 2008
Before 1998, when she was chosen as the first ever M-Net Face of Africa, Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandi was unknown. Now the Nigerian-born supermodel has become known as the face of the future.
After nearly a decade in the cutthroat modelling industry, Oluchi founded the first pan-African modelling agency, O Model Africa, in 2007. The agency is based in South Africa and it focuses on discovering, developing and delivering African models to international clients for catwalk shows, TV commercials, editorials, advertising, feature films and below the line work.
Oluchi's success has set a blazing trail for young African girls, and she'll be signing the winner of this year's M-Net Face of Africa taking place later today to her agency.
The M-Net Face of Africa 2008 finale promises to be a sparkling celebration of continental style and talent as the captivating search to find one unforgettable African face reaches its dramatic and spectacular finish at the Sun City Superbowl!
Discovered during a dynamic pan-African search and having found success during a succession of audition rounds, 10 incredible young women will take to the catwalk to showcase their star quality in a special finale that will include performances by popular Idols winner Eric Moyo ('Sondela,' 'This is Everything') as well as the House of the Holy Afro performers from the hit Afro-funk stage show.
In addition, lending their powerhouse appeal to the finale are Nigerian hip hop sensations Naeto C and Ikechukwu.
And while everyone of the Top 10 finalists is set to shine during the glittering gala, only one is destined to be the M-Net Face of Africa 2008, making a fairytale transformation from aspiring model to African icon. So, who will she be? Certainly, one of these finalists
Aminat Alli-Balogun-Nigeria
Lagos-born student Alli is a first-time Face of Africa contestant who has always dreamed of not just being a model but a supermodel! She has one show in Lagos to her credit but will do whatever it takes to rise to the top of the industry.
She rates countrywoman, Oluchi and American supermodel, Linda Evangelista as her favourite models because both have striking features. Scared only of failure Alli dreams of being fulfilled in all areas of her life. To relax, she likes to read novels and daydream.
Hamamat-Ghana
Feisty 20-year old student Hamamat has always wanted to be a model and has pursued her dream in her hometown of Accra by participating in an impressive number of catwalk shows and photo shoots. She rates Tyra Banks as her favourite model because of the way she broke barriers and also the way she uses her fame to develop young models.
She says it's an honour to be part of Face of Africa because the model search provides an opportunity to make history. When she's not strutting her stuff on the catwalk, Hamamat likes to listen to music and watch old movies-all while cuddled up indoors.
Hiwot-Ethiopia
18-year-old Hiwot has always dreamed of becoming a model and has already got a few catwalk shows under her fashionable belt, having made her modelling bow at just 14 years of age.
The student from Addis Ababa aspires to be more like fellow Ethiopian model, Liya because of her tremendous work ethic. She enjoys listening to music, watching TV and helping her mother around the house and says she isn't afraid of anything!
Joana-Angola
Luanda-born Joana is a 19-year-old student with no previous modelling experience. Her home language is Portuguese, but she is working furiously at learning how to read and write English.
She admires Naomi Campbell's passion as a model and entered the M-Net Face of Africa because of the massive exposure it could give her as a prospective model. She enjoys partying with friends to unwind.
Kate-Ghana
Twenty three year-old Kate is a model/student from Tesand, Ghana. She has tried out for Face of Africa before, but didn't make it through the casting in Ghana because of her measurements. Desperate to prove to the scouts that she had what it takes, she spent two years gymming and training hard and was over the moon to be chosen at this year's M-Net Face of Africa casting in Accra.
She admires Oluchi because of all she has achieved and, should she win, would save some of her prize money, give some to her mum and then spend the rest having some fun! To relax, she likes nothing more than a massage and a great movie. She also enjoys taking just about anything electrical apart to see how it works and then putting it back together again!
Lucy-Uganda
Twenty three-year old Lucy is a bubbly student from Kampala. Her previous modelling experience is limited to small photo shoots and charity fashion shows, but she longs to see her face on billboards around the world. She rates premier Face of Africa, Oluchi Onweagba and supermodel, Naomi Campbell as her favourite models, because they both have great 'walks' and haven't forgotten their roots.
Lucy likes to read, listen to music and practise yoga to relax and is looking forward to using the M-Net Face of Africa as a springboard to greater things!
Maria-Namibia
Proud Namibian Maria hails from a village near Eenhana in the northern part of the country. Not content with just being a model, she is currently on the verge of completing her Commercial Pilot's Licence, which will allow her to fly huge passenger planes!
Becoming a model is a childhood dream of hers and she finds the joy of being on the catwalk almost overwhelming. She has 21 beauty pageant titles to her name-she's been competing since the age of 11-but knows that the M-Net Face of Africa is a different kind of competition altogether. Just like her role models Oluchi, Adriana Lima and Liya Kebede, she knows what she wants and entered the M-Net Face of Africa this year to win! To relax, she likes to meditate and finds babysitting her many nieces and nephews quite therapeutic.
Noxie-Zambia
Nokuthula-Noxie to her friends-is a bubbly 19-year-old from Ndola, Zambia. She only got into modelling after her friends and family encouraged her to try it out. But now she is in love with it.
Noxie is currently studying Travel and Tourism Management and admires Oluchi and Tyra Banks, "because they're both black and successful!"
She likes watching the National Geographic channel to unwind and dreams of becoming a Victoria's Secret Angel. She is terrified of spiders and loves imitating other people's accents and mannerisms.
Sasa-South Africa
Sasa real name Sandiso-is a professional model from Johannesburg, South Africa. She has always dreamed of being a model and entered the M-Net Face of Africa this year for the first time. The 19-year-old admires fellow model Avumile Qongqo because of her positive, can do attitude.
The M-Net Face of Africa is certainly bringing her out of her shell she claims to be the shy, quiet one in her family and she entered the competition to prove that she could do anything she set her mind to. If she wins the competition, the first thing she'd do would be to give some of her winnings to charity, believing that good deeds reap great rewards. Also passionate about singing, Sasa is terrified of cats and enjoys nothing more than a good nap to relax.
Sola-Nigeria
Sola is a 19-year-old model from Lagos, Nigeria. Despite her tender years, she has an impressive modelling resume, including a fashion spread for True Love West Africa.
She rates Alek Wek as her favourite model because she believes they share some of the same looks-and because Wek is an icon on both the catwalk and in magazines. She entered the M-Net Face of Africa to showcase the continent's proud combination of beauty and brains.
When she's not dreaming of becoming a supermodel, Sola likes to listen to music and read magazines. Despite her tough exterior, she says she is actually extremely shy.
Now as these finalists take to the spotlight, just one will walk away with the $ 50, 000 in prize money from M-Net plus a modelling contract with O Model Africa, valued at $50 000.
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