Ghana Triumphs: Kate Menson is the 2008 Face of Africa
Posted on Thursday, December 4th, 2008 at 5:53 AMBy BellaNaija.com
The spectacular and dramatic M-Net Face of Africa 2008 Finale, held on Saturday night (November 29) at the SuperBowl in Sun City, South Africa, came to a fairytale finish as striking 23-year-old Ghanaian Kate Menson discovered that dreams really do come true.
Discovered in Accra during a casting in the city earlier in the year, her progress in the current season of M-Net’s Face of Africa has been a constant inspiration to viewers, who discovered earlier in the month that although Kate had auditioned for the search in 2006, she hadn’t qualified at the time because she needed to hone her talent and work on developing her physique.
Tonight her hard work, focus and dedication were rewarded as a thrilled SuperBowl audience welcomed her success with thunderous applause as she was named the seventh and newest M-Net Face of Africa.
The dramatic hour and a half show, featuring electric performances from Idols winner Eric Moyo, along with Nigerian superstars Naeto C and Ikechukwu plus Afro-funk performers House of Holy Afro, was screened live on DStv to over 40 countries across the continent. Also striding down the catwalk were fellow finalists Alli (Nigeria), Hamamat (Ghana), Hiwot (Ethiopia), Maria (Namibia), Noxi (Zambia), Joana (Angola), Lucy (Uganda), Sasa (South Africa) and Sola (Nigeria).
Naeto C & Ikechukwu’s Performance
Featuring the fashions of Tanzania’s Mustafa Hassanali, South Africa’s Thula Sindi and Nigeria’s Jewel by Lisa – Lisa Folawiyo plus two magazine collections from South Africa’s Cosmopolitan magazine and True Love East Africa, the Finale was a glamourous glittering showcase of African talent, style and creative energy, played out against a backdrop of a gleaming black catwalk.
The dramatic runway took on a uniquely contemporary look as a giant and unforgettable replica of the face of 2005 winner Botswana’s Kaone Kario, complete with bold black eye make-up and an ever-changing neon lit Afro, was made the focal point for the entrance and exit of the Top 10 finalists.
With show steadily and dramatically building to the exciting winner announcement, audiences greeted Namibia’s Venantia Otto, the Face of Africa 2006 warmly as she made her way onto the catwalk to make the announcement of the TOP 5 finalists.
This was soon followed by the Finale’s tension filled key moment, as the very first Face of Africa turned global model icon and businesswoman Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandi made the big announcement and revealed the M-Net Face of Africa 2008.
Awarding Kate with a modeling contract valued at USD 50 000 with her agency OModel Africa, Oluchi’s announcement marked a magic moment in the Face of Africa legacy, as ten years after she won the title, the Nigerian supermodel was the one opening a new door for a new star.
Commenting on the emotion filled Finale, M-Net Channel Director for Africa Biola Adekanbi said that M-Net was proud of the project which, with its transformative power to change lives and its enduring continental appeal, continued to be a shining highlight on the M-Net calendar.
“We wish all of the TOP 10 finalists well as they go forward and thank them for the courage, and their strength in taking on this challenge and meeting it with such grace and charm. Further we wish Kate much success as she enters a new chapter in a life, one we are confident she will embrace with enthusiasm and passion. Finally, M-Net will continue to promote African talent and ingenuity, in keeping with our belief that Africa and Africans should be celebrated.”
Meanwhile for gorgeous Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandi, the decision to select Kate as the M-Net Face of Africa 2008 was based on the model’s suitability for the title.
“On the judging panel, it was clear to us all that Kate was perfectly suited to be the next Face of Africa. She’s the complete package, a model designers dream off, that magazine editors embrace and that catwalks are made for. Kate won the title purely on merit and the fact that she had this fairytale story, this incredible journey to the top, makes it just that little bit sweeter!”
Kate’s Journey through Face of Africa
Source: MNetAfrica
To view the rest of the Top 10 click HERE
Few photos from the show & afterparty
Tags: face of africa, face of africa 2008, kate menson, kate tachi-menson, mnet, oluchi
December 4th, 2008 at 7:41 AM
This makes me excited about West Africas NTM!!!!
December 4th, 2008 at 7:56 AM
Why didn’t someone like 9ice, 2face, more indigenous sounding present? Ike and Naeto was like BET’s Next Top Model…I’m just hating lol but seriously…
December 4th, 2008 at 2:27 PM
I didn’t know there was a True Love East Africa. nice!
December 4th, 2008 at 4:15 PM
great post bella, got the news from naijagal oluchi looked fab.
December 5th, 2008 at 4:09 AM
african babes r just 2 hot 4 tv…
December 5th, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Don’t think she deserved it
December 5th, 2008 at 1:28 PM
i am so happy finaly Ghana has won. this girl deserves it, she made ghana proud
December 5th, 2008 at 5:03 PM
i love oluchi!!!damn she is so natural!!!i bet if it were some other person..d accent for don change like mad
December 5th, 2008 at 10:12 PM
whats wrong if someones accent changes…does it affect you in anyway?
ppl need to stop with the “accent” issue its getting old and annoying!
December 5th, 2008 at 11:00 PM
Aww shes gorjus
Congrats Black Star
December 5th, 2008 at 11:09 PM
she is GORGEOUS!
CONGRATS Black Star
December 6th, 2008 at 12:17 PM
im just wondering if anyone caught the fact that kate didn’t meet the “strict measurement guidelines” in season 6 hmmm…overall beautiful show she is gorgeous and Alli is beautiful
December 6th, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Oluchi as really done well, she is investing in Nigeria and Africa, mad props o jare
December 6th, 2008 at 9:03 PM
hi Bella,
great site and great work! also wanted to say that i know you don’t write these articles sometimes. like this one, for instance. and there’s nothing wrong with that. but would you be kind enough to please give due reference when this is the case? it’s akin to passing off someone’s work as your own and that’s unfair.
thank you!
p.s. re: http://www.jamati.com/online/style/kate-menson-a-new-face-of-africa/
December 6th, 2008 at 11:18 PM
Hi Kenny,
The article is actually a press release from MNET not Jamati!
and we gave MNet their due credit. If you look at the post, you will see ‘Source; MNet Africa’. At Bella Naija, we pride ourselves with always crediting our sources!!!
Original MNet Article: http://beta.mnetafrica.com/fanclub/FanClubArticle.aspx?ClubId=328&AId=6001
December 7th, 2008 at 12:11 AM
very, very sorry about that, bella. thanks very much for your reply.
my apologies again.
December 7th, 2008 at 4:32 AM
Beeztick is allowed to have an opinion now, if he/she likes the fact that someone’s accent hasn’t changed, it’s his/her personal choice. You don’t have to agree, but attacking Beeztick is uncalled for. It’s a free world.
December 7th, 2008 at 7:56 AM
umm okay there
didnt attack anyone.. just stating my opinion just like beeztick…ur point?
December 7th, 2008 at 12:42 PM
onome, i guess the same question applies to you…does it affect you in anyway if i decide that oluchi’s accent hasnt changed much?
December 8th, 2008 at 2:33 AM
why should people have issues with other peoples accent..i just dont get it.the girl is making her money and u guys are here fighting over accent…pls grow up…and show some luv
December 8th, 2008 at 5:26 AM
Rita duh,you are so stupid
as you rightly said the girl is making her money
so why are you too joining others to fight
December 8th, 2008 at 7:38 PM
mensah or what ever yu call ur self.you are the stupid one here.and pls i never joined u in ur stupid fight.go get some sense into those block head of yours
December 9th, 2008 at 6:08 PM
Uh duh… if I must spell it out, my point is that there is no need to attack people just to make your ‘point’. Or do you not know what the definition of ‘attack’ is… LOL
December 9th, 2008 at 6:10 PM
LOL!
December 9th, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Rita!LMAO!you are a hopeless joke just like the people who brought you into this world!
i am LOLing & LMAOing all the way …and i wouldnt come back to see what your sorry ass will write!
lest i forget…i hope your father’s block head is better now!!i doubt it
December 10th, 2008 at 12:28 PM
the performance by neato c and IkeC was bland!!!
December 21st, 2008 at 2:37 AM
The issue that I notice creeping through the door is the attempt at bring a set “International Standard” (Read WHITE WESTERN WORLD) in regards to the Womens sizes. In Africa men and women prefer ladies with Size and this is NOT being reflected here at all!!! Ostensibly this is the “Face of Africa” so a women’s body size should not be an issue. It’s a shame that African Culture is still not strong enough or confident enough to represent what African’s find beautiful rather than based SOLELY on Western Standards.
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:33 AM
I am Zambian, but I tell you Kate deserved to win. What a wonderful story, she tried in 2006, did not qualify, worked hard, came back in 2008 and she got it..LOVE IT!!!!
January 3rd, 2009 at 4:46 PM
This is a nicely put together tribute to Kate, who showed great style and perseverance to eventually win this contest. Top Fashion Modeling involves much commitment and Kate certainly has shown that.
I hope Kate goes on to further successes in 2009.