2011 Miss Africa Minnesota Contestants - Talent Competition

Contestants Talent Show 

Miss Ghana

Miss Cameroon 

Miss North Sudan

Miss Tanzania

Miss South Sudan

Miss Congo

Miss Nigeria

Miss Liberia

Miss Togo

Miss Ethiopia

Miss Kenya

Miss South Africa

Miss Burundi 

To view more of the photos and order some of your favorite contestant's photos click on this website  Steve Murphy  

Miss Africa Minnesota 2011 Contestants on KMOJ 89.9 FM

Miss Africa Minnesota 2011 Contestants were interviewed on KMOJ FM 89.9 last Saturday November 12th 2011.

It was fun and interesting. We all got to listen to each of these beautiful souls as they pour out their individuality.

There are still plenty of fun to catch on Saturday. Grab your tickets now.

Come in and support your African Countries  in winning the 2011 Miss Africa Minnesota.

Venue: Spring Lake Park High School Theater –1100 81st Ave NE,Spring Lake Park,MN 55432
Saturday November 19, 2011 Time: 6pm-11pm

Ticket: $20

Tickets will also be sold at the front door.

Tel: 651-285-9975

Click on This Link to Reserve your Ticket

Miss Tanzania -Janeth Kamenge - Miss Africa Minnesota 2011

Name: Janeth Kamenge

Country you are representing:  I am representing my beautiful country Tanzania

Tell me something about yourself?: I am 18 years old and currently a junior at the College of Saint Benedict/St. John’s University. I am majoring in nursing and minoring in psychology, and I hope to graduate in 2013.  I was born and raised in my beautiful country Tanzania (TZ), Africa. I am the second of two children. I came to the United States in 2006 to further my education and I hope to go back to Africa to serve my country as a nurse. My favorite hobbies are hanging out with my wonderful family and fantastic friends, reading inspirational stories and listening to rap music.

What has been the most significant accomplishment in your life? Why?: The most significant accomplishment in my life is to have the ability to overcome the different challenges I endured when coming to America and making the most of every opportunity I came across. I have always had the competence of making negative circumstances to become positive and never hesitate on taking challenges to accomplish my goal.

Who is your Role Model and Why?: My beautiful mother, Mary Kamenge is my role model. She is a strong, caring and loving person; she has always been there for me and even scarified her own life to ensure that my brother and I pursue a good education. She has always believed in me in moments where I couldn’t believe in myself. She always inspires me to do better. I love and miss you, sweet mama.

What do you expect to gain by participating in the Pageant?:
I am hoping to gain experiences in the pageantry industry as well as learning more about my fellow contestants. I believe that they are all unique and different and have something to offer. I also hope that they learn something from me.

If you win Miss Africa Minnesota, what are your plans?: If I were to win Miss Africa Minnesota my plans would be  reaching out to the African community especially people in Minnesota to further my platform, inspiring young African women to embrace  while celebrating their diverse beauty through self acceptance. I want to be a motivational speaker on the issue of self consciousness. I inspire people to recognize and accept their true beauty because there is a reason why the mighty Lord made us the way we are today. We are all beautiful despite our differences.

How do we promote our African Cultures?: We should promote our African culture by embracing and celebrating our diverse cultures. We need to be proud and give value to our culture in all endeavors of life. By doing so, we will educate fellow American brothers and sisters who have little or no information about the culture of Africa.

As a young African woman, what advice do you have for the other African youth in becoming tomorrow’s leaders?: I would advice young African youth to always have faith and believe in themselves. I would encourage them and let them be aware that they can accomplish anything they put effort into. They shouldn’t let anyone discourage them because no one can do anything better than themselves.

Come and support Janeth in winning the 2011 Miss Africa Minnesota.

Venue: Spring Lake Park High School Theater –1100 81st Ave NE,Spring Lake Park,MN 55432
Saturday November 19,2011 Time:6pm-11pm

Ticket: $20

Tel: 651-285-9975

Click on This Link to Reserve your Ticket

2011 Miss Africa Minnesota Winner - Miss Kenya - Huldah Omesa

The 2011 Miss Africa Minnesota was announced on Saturday at the Miss Africa Minnesota Beauty Pageant Contest.

Miss Kenya - Huldah Omesa took home the title with gratitude. 

Please Congratulate her and all the remaining contestants. They all did an amazing job. 

More photos will be published soon.

Miss South Africa - Nkhuyeyi - Miss Africa Minnesota 2011

 Name: Nkhuyeyi Sibande

Country you are representing: South Africa

Tell me something about yourself?: I love anything that will showcase my artistic ability and nature, such as drawing, singing, writhing etc

What has been the most significant accomplishment in your life? Why?: Organizing and directing the black history month presentation at my high school 2 years in a row and having a news paper do a story on it. I put so much sweat into that project, I filmed and edited the documentaries ,also wrote skits, poetry pieces, and sang. It's was such a big undertaking and to see it succeed made me so proud, not only of myself but all the amazing people I had the pleasure of working with. I proved to myself how much and I can do and the experience helped me gain a new appreciation for hard work.

Who is your Role Model and Why?: I would have to say the women in my family like my mother and aunts; because they are some of the hardest working people I know. I have learned to strive for better than you have always, and that you can never stop learning no matter how old you are.

How old are you?: I am 22 years old

What do you expect to gain by participating in the Pageant?: A new appreciation for the vast amounts of culture Africa has and it is also helping me get rid if my slight fear of public speaking

If you win Miss Africa Minnesota, what are your plans?: I just would like to raise awareness on the vast multitude of children who are orphaned in Africa, maybe come up with ideas on how we can help and implement those ideas because .I feel they have nobody looking out for them. Also I would like to promote activism within our communities, it's saddens me to see more people of other races more willing to go back to Africa and volunteer.

How do we promote our African Cultures?: Just by being positive role models and being proud of our heritage, because I truly believe the saying "if you don't know where you've been, you don't know where you are going". With such rich histories and cultures it's not a hard task, all we have to do is put forth the effort to learning as much as we can.

As a young African woman, what advice do you have for the other African youth in becoming tomorrow’s leaders?: believe that you can achieve anything, no exclusions! There is nothing you can not do just put your mind to it, but also remember with great power comes great responsibility . 

Come and support Nkhuyeyi in winning the 2011 Miss Africa Minnesota.

Venue: Spring Lake Park High School Theater –1100 81st Ave NE,Spring Lake Park,MN 55432
Saturday November 19,2011 Time:6pm-11pm

Ticket: $20

Tel: 651-285-9975

Click on This Link to Reserve your Ticket

Miss Congo -Honorine Kadima - Miss Africa Minnesota 2011

 Name: Honorine Kadima

Country you are representing: DRC Congo

Tell me something about yourself?: I am the first person to graduate from high school from my family both mother and father side  and the first person to further my education to high level in college. I am a very happy person and love to meet new people and exploring new cultures. I love modeling as well and I would love to do that as my side career.

What has been the most significant accomplishment in your life?: Why?: The most significant thing in my life is going to college and starting to make my own decision which are always positive and   not ashamed to go and ask for help and its the only key to succeed in college  that is the reason why I am loving college and putting all my best to succeed and graduate once again and make my family proud.

Who is your Role Model and Why?:   My role model is my mama she taught me to go and get what I want only if I know what I want is necessary. She also showed me what  the meaning of being an African woman,  by this she wore cultural clothing, spoke the native language, and did her duals by taking care of my sibling and I and  made sure we didn’t go to sleep hungry. I love my mama.

What do you expect to gain by participating in the Pageant?:  I expect to gain friendship from these beautiful contestant that I am in competition with and also to learn the differences between the countries that are competing because Africa has a lot to offer when it comes to culture differences. I also expect to gain more confident and experience on different styles of walking , posture and attitude which I have never done before, so I do take notes.

If you win Miss Africa Minnesota, what are your plans?: If I win, my plans is to reach out to my African community in Minnesota and develop a non profit organization which will consist of my platform educating women in Africa and fight against hunger. I also would want to collaborate with other organization that have similar goal as me. I am also not limited on the platforms that I represent, I am willing to branch out and help ,participate on other issue that deal with Africa.

How do we promote our African Cultures?: I believe we promote our culture by teaching the generation that has no clue about their culture because most often African youth that are born in the US don’t have the knowledge of their culture and by us teaching them in an early age we pass on the culture because they are the once will pass on to the next generation after theirs. We can also promote our culture by creating awareness to non Africans and showing them how beautiful and different ,mind blowing and exciting African culture is.

As a young African woman, what advice do you have for the other African youth in becoming tomorrow’s leaders?: I will advice the African youth to further their education and learn the truth about Africa and to not let anybody or media brainwash what they  truly believe is right. I also would advice them to always go back to the mother land to the roots of Africa because that's your identity, identity is power I would advice them to never forget about that.

Come and support Honorine in winning the 2011 Miss Africa Minnesota.

Venue: Spring Lake Park High School Theater –1100 81st Ave NE,Spring Lake Park,MN 55432
Saturday November 19,2011 Time:6pm-11pm

Ticket: $20

Tel: 651-285-9975

Click on This Link to Reserve your Ticket

Miss Liberia - Siah Borbor - Miss Africa Minnesota 2011

Name: Siah Borbor

Country you are representing: Liberia 

Tell me something about yourself?: I'm very passionate and determined in anything I do. I'm grateful to have strong parents who push me to my full potential. I also enjoy helping others around me. I'm willing to give a hand to anyone regardless of how long we've known each other. 

What has been the most significant accomplishment in your life?: Why?: The most significant accomplishment thus far has been continuing my education. My first year in college my father had a hemorrhage stroke. He was unable to talk, move or eat without assistance. I was very close to my father, and I began to do poorly in class. I was fortunate to have my father in my life, and it broke my heart to see him in that condition. He past away 7 months later. I was so depress, I dropped out. My mom knew I was hurt, but she knew continuing my education was important to me. She insisted and pushed me to finish my degree. My boyfriend at the time, Supuwuo, was very supportive in helping me transition back in school. Now I'm one year away from graduating with a B.A. In criminal justice. 

Who is your Role Model and Why?: My role model is my mother Hawah V Borbor. Why? My mother works so hard since the death of my father. She is the definition of an independent woman. She has took on full responsibilities of a mother and father. There is nothing she can't do. She has become the backbone for the family. Despite all the hardship she may endure, she always has a smile on her face. 

What do you expect to gain by participating in the Pageant?: I hope to gain more appreciation for my heritage, friendship, poise, and confidence. 

If you win Miss Africa Minnesota, what are your plans?: If I win Miss Africa Minnesota, I plan on minimizing the corruption by working with community leaders and empowering women to take political leadership roles by education and volunteer programs.

How do we promote our African Cultures?: The best way to promote our African Cultures is by passing down the beliefs, values and ethics to the younger generations. I'm disappointed when people migrate to the United States and disown their heritage to fit in. We cannot forget our culture and what our great ancestors sacrifice. 

As a young African woman, what advice do you have for the other African youth in becoming tomorrow’s leaders?: I would advise young leaders not let the success get to your head. Its easy to lose yourself when given power. Communicate with your employees on a regular basis. They can have key ideas, plans or solution to help the company or fix a problem. Communication will also lower turn over rate. Be involve with everyday operations as much as possible to avoid surprises. Handle complaints in a timely manner. Keeping your customers' satisfied is a requirement.

Come and support Siah in winning the 2011 Miss Africa Minnesota.

Venue: Spring Lake Park High School Theater –1100 81st Ave NE,Spring Lake Park,MN 55432
Saturday November 19,2011 Time:6pm-11pm

Ticket: $20

Tel: 651-285-9975

Click on This Link to Reserve your Ticket

Miss Burundi - Santa Mika Ndayiziga - Miss Africa Minnesota 2011

Name: Santa-Mika Ndayiziga

Country you are representing: Burundi

Tell me something about yourself?:  I LOVE MUSIC!! Especially the kind of music that inspires young people; it is one of the ways I found to dream and hope for a better world, and it gives me enough strength to believe that we can realize that dream.  Something else about me that I could say is that I am majoring in Social Work and doing a minor in Intercultural communication: I had never thought I would ever find majors that would suit me; these two are reinforcing my personality and giving me a clear idea about who I want to be.

What has been the most significant accomplishment in your life? Why?:  Coming to the US and being able to find my own place in this jungle. When I came here (in 2009) I had the worst time of my life, I would cry every time my mom would call to check on me. I came alone and beside my brother and two of my cousins, I had no friends and my English was pretty poor. When I look back and realize who I became now, I am surprised about myself; to have made friends from all over the world, including the US, and feeling that this place has become partly my home.

Who is your Role Model and Why?: I admire my dad a lot. He is a bit stubborn (and I think I inherited it from him…:) but he always makes his point. He is very smart and is an amazing hard-worker. He never gives up and where there is no hope, he always finds a way to create it. He has that ability to inspire people and that seriously astonish me, and I hope I will also inspire people like he does :).

What do you expect to gain by participating in the Pageant?:
Definitely experience, which will help to become mature enough.  I already learned a lot just by interacting with the contestants, and I feel I am a very lucky girl to have met all of them. Each one of the girls I talked with have so much to teach me as we all come from a different background but are amazingly similar to each other.

If you win Miss Africa Minnesota, what are your plans?:
I would like to be more connected with different organizations that work with youth (wherever) in Africa and have an opportunity to interact with them, work with them and encourage them in whatever they want to accomplish in their lives. I would like to teach them so many things learned from my experiences, like telling them why they should never give up on hope, a reason why to persevere and to make them aware of the power they are holding as they represent the future of their country.

How do we promote our African Cultures?:
As young Africans, we should never forget where we come from because that is what shapes our identity as “Africans”. We need first to acknowledge that our culture is BEAUTIFUL and that there is NOTHING shameful about it. Knowing our mother tongue is the most important thing that Africans should never be ashamed of and should never reject. It is when we speak the language of our ancestors that we have a deeper connection with our traditions, our culture, our roots and our value. Another aspect of promoting our culture is in being able to identify our traditional dance, arts and clothes. Then, performing, cooking our traditional food, bringing our valuable artifacts and sharing all of this and the history of where we come from with people we meet in our daily basis is as well the best way to promote our African culture.

As a young African woman, what advice do you have for the other African youth in becoming tomorrow’s leaders?: An advice that I would give is to never give up. Where we come from should not be an obstacle to our ambitions; it is what we carry inside of us and what we have to offer to the world that matter.  Fight for what you believe is right but be ready to open up yourself as well to learn from others and strengthen your ideologies.  The youth need to value education, and be able to be inspired by our elders and by the humanists; they need to stay true to themselves in terms to their traditions, and the well-being of their communities.

Come and support Mika in winning the 2011 Miss Africa Minnesota.

Venue: Spring Lake Park High School Theater –1100 81st Ave NE,Spring Lake Park,MN 55432
Saturday November 19,2011 Time:6pm-11pm

Ticket: $20

Tel: 651-285-9975

Click on This Link to Reserve your Ticket

Miss Cameroon - Giselle Efon - Miss Africa Minnesota 2011

Name: Giselle Nsuyam Efon

Country you are representing?:  Cameroon

Tell me something about yourself?:  I am a very down to earth person. I value harmony and love. I never stop dreaming about the future because I believe tomorrow will be a better day.

What has been the most significant accomplishment in your life? Why? Being a second year student in college is the most significant accomplishment in my life. This is because when I was growing up I had a lot of educational challenges.

Who is your Role Model and Why?: My mother is my role model. From my own point of view, I believe she is the strongest woman in this world. Every woman needs to be like her. She never gives up on what she wants in life. She always stays positive and determine.

What do you expect to gain by participating in the Pageant:? I believe I have already gained a lot by being a contestant such as friendship and accepting things the way they are. I also still pray on gaining more.

If you win Miss Africa Minnesota, what are your plans:? I plan to promote education among the Africa society. I will not only promote education but I will make sure that people use the education correctly.

How do we promote our African Cultures:?  Just talking about the positive resources Africa has as if you were talking about the world of the Lord.

As a young African woman, what advice do you have for the other African youth in becoming tomorrow’s leaders:? Never forget where you are coming from in life. Always remember who you are. Do not lose your identity. When you truly understand where you are coming from in life then you will have a clearer vision of your goals.

Come and support Giselle in winning the 2011 Miss Africa Minnesota.

Venue: Spring Lake Park High School Theater –1100 81st Ave NE,Spring Lake Park,MN 55432
Saturday November 19,2011 Time:6pm-11pm

Ticket: $20

Tel: 651-285-9975

Click on This Link to Reserve your Ticket