CHECK OUT THE LIST OF MISTER AFRICA INTERNATIONAL GONGS
Mister Africa International(2023) has introduced new awards which will be won during the 10th anniversary of Mister Africa International which will be held in Angola on the 26th of November.
The titles and awards for this Year:
MISTER AFRICA INTERNATIONAL winner .
(The title is awarded to the winner for the 10th anniversary)
2.Mr Africa – International – 1st and 2nd runner up
Awards include :
•MODEL OF AFRICA ( best runway model )
•BODY OF AFRICA ( best body )
•MEDIA KING – the delegate with the most media presence in his country.
AWARDS nominated by other contestants
•THE AFRICAN VIBE – given to the most friendly contestant as voted by the other contestants
•MOST HANDSOME – most good looking as voted by other contestants
•MOST STYLISH – most sophisticated as voted by other contestants.
Neurite Mendes former Miss Africa,will host the Mister Africa international 2022 Gala which will be held at Intercontinental hotel at 19.00h
WHO MADE IT TO THE FINALISTS OF MISTER AFRICA 2023.
It’s actually a dream for every country to be represented at one of the longest running male pageants in Africa,Mister Africa International.
Several countries were eyeing to be on the top 10 position of Mister Africa International.
This would enable them them to participate in the 10th anniversary of Mister Africa International.
Preliminaries were introduced to select the top 10.
The preliminaries competition included :Fan Vote;Beach Body; Photogenic all were held digital.
Successfully;Nigeria and Botswana managed to occupy the first two positions during the first competition,’Photogenic Competition’.
With only eight spots left,the remaining countries were battling out to qualify.
Angola and Rwanda were never and neck during the fan vote.
Angola topped the competition with 3500 votes,leading the delegate to be automatically in the top 3.
Other countries that successfully joined the three countries that had qualified are:South Africa;Zimbabwe;Mozambique;Cape Verde;Seira Leone,Zambia;Ivory Coast.
The man of the Earth male pageant in collaboration with Men’s Fashion Week South Africs will be hosting the Man Of The Earth Male pageant.
The pageant has been previously been held in Nigeria,with most of its delegstions deriving from Africa,despite this Indian model,Abhhiti Puri was declared as the winner of the pageant 2022.
He will be handing over his title to the next King in Gauteng,South Africa where the pageant will be held.
Winning his first title at University opened up doors for him. With his height and complexion different pageant organisers saw the greatness in,Okatta-Isinwa Senator Chidozie.In an exclusive dialogue with him, we talk about his international title first runner up of Misters of Nigeria and how he foresee the future of his nation’s modeling sector.
Q.Modeling has been part of your life, can you introduce yourself and tell us how your journey started?A.My name is Okatta-Isinwa Senator Chidozie and I’ll walk you through how I started modeling. I have always been a fan of modeling and because of my height many people advised I’d dive into it. This journey actually started outside a hall in my university where I was approached and asked to contest in what was later the biggest campus pageant in the southeast. I was told that my physique and complexion was exactly what the organization needed. At that time I had already participated in two school pageants. Winning one and coming First runner up in the other. Then it was for fun. After I was convinced I took it upon myself to find out if this is what I’d love to do. Gracefully I won that pageant which gave me an automatic slot to contest in the Misters of Nigeria pageant. Contesting in the Misters of Nigeria pageant was my greatest accomplishment at that time because I went through over a hundred applicants to emerge First Runner up. It wasn’t easy though as with anything good that comes in life but it was worth it. Today I proud to have taken that step because it has now enabled me to raise my country’s flag and represent internationally.
Q.Take us to the title that you won at the University how did it opened up doors for you ?A:The title Mr Imsu exposed me to a world of opportunities that I never knew existed. It gave me opportunities to meet people who have in one way or another impacted me positively into becoming who I am today. If not for the exposure accompanied with that title I would not have been where I am at this stage in my career today.
Q.Is modeling a paying job in your view?A.Modeling in my view is a paying job. But it requires the right amount of sacrifices before one can begin to earn especially in our country today.
Q.When you were announced as the runner up what thoughts came to your mind?A.Honestly, at that moment all I could think of was how proud I had made my family and myself. Going into the competition as the youngest and most inexperienced I would say kind of left me doubtful. But at the end of the day all the hard work and dedication I and my team put into the competition paid off and it was a big relief to me.
Q.Do you believe that Nigeria’s modeling industry has reached international level?A.definitely do, Nigeria has made waves internationally on many platforms and we are sure to keep making waves. We have models who have changed the narrative from what was to what it is now.
Q.What changes are you hoping can impact the modeling industry in Africa?A. I hope they begin to pay more attention to modeling and seeing it as not just showbiz but also as a means of livelihood as a career choice and one that should not be relegated to the background. I hope the begin to treat kings and queens who represent internationally with more respect and regard. And that funding also goes into the modeling industries all over African countries.
Q.Aside from modeling what else do you do ?A. I am a Humanitarian, an advocate for early childhood education, an actor and basketball player.
Q.How has your community benefited from the title? A.In my own way I have tried to give back to the community I come from. That’s why I started a mini project tagged “Project Reach 4 Books”. This project is aimed at least funding a child’s fees for school and providing materials for adequate learning in schools occasionally. I believe the only way to attain success is through education.
Q.Lastly state 5 of your favourite jams currently, you are dancing to..A. I am a big fan of music. I listen to all kinds but for the reason of this question here are my 5 favourite jams currently( not of all time)
Zimbabwe’s fashion designers have been facing a challenge of lack of sponsorship.When it comes to showcasing their products. However,designers have managed to source themselves when it comes to sponsorship.Afro Phoenix a brand founded by Zimbabwean designer,showcased their product at MALAWI during an international fashion show.During our conversation with Blessing,the founder of the brand he tells us more about his journey and the recognition he received during the show.
Q:What are the main foundations of your brand ( Afro phoenix) what led to the establishment of your brand?A:My main foundations,for my Brand Afro Phoenix is Family.i belive that with the love and support from family you can do anything.the thing that led me to establish my brand is i wanted to show people who said i cant make it in life that I’m a fighter, I’m worth it and I belong.
Q:Whereyou expecting your collection to be selected as the best making you, Best Male African designer?A:The Collection i presented for MFAS was a summer collection showing the beauty of african kings and appreciating all bodies big and small because people body shame a lot so through fashion i want everyone to feel beautiful and confident.
A: Well I have been made a National Director for Mr and Miss Model of Tourism World/Zim So 2023 we taking it to Guyana and a whole lot of great things coming up
Q.Speaking about collection many believe that African ‘fabrics’ are fading away in terms of trend,however you always include them in your collections why,?A:African Fabric will always been there and will always be there.to me i feel it wont fade away because its part of us its who we are and its our culture
Q.During your stay in Malawi, what did you learnt about the fashion industry of that country that might benefit Zimbabwe? A: I have learnt that the fashion industry in Malawi, respect models a lot both males and females and know their worth
Q:Aside from Malawi, you have been invited to Mpumalanga to showcase your brand’s products ..A.Yes I have been invited to showcase in SA Mpumalanga and im truly excited and im the only international designer who was invited to showcase
Q.Back home how has your brand managed to fit both those who are in generation Z and those who have passed their youth? A.My clothing designs speaks a volume,my brand make so much noise that people get to listen and with my brand and collection being that unique people of different ages would love to wear .
Q:Where do you draw your inspiration from ?A: myself,my family,my fans the people who believe in me and always tell me that i can do it.
Q:What advise do you have to young designers? A:Keep dreaming because dreams do come true.i mean im living mine.its never easy but always put your all and work have.
QThank you for your time and if you can provide details how you can be reached? A:Insta_@blessingmunjeri
The collection was inspired by the struggle we have to endure on the path we have chosen. The burdens hidden from view both our close ones and society. The weight of our dreams and how much we aspire in the real and ethereal part of our lives, we are like a seed growing in the dark with noone in the know all that effort put together for that moment we break ground and grow unstoppable. A pearl polished in the rough
In honoring the late Busi Mhlongo,whose music played a major role to Zulu mine workers. This year she should have turned 75 years ,she passed away due to Breast Cancer.Urban Zulu founder said their latest collection is dedicated to Busi Mhlongo
