Gumisai Makombe is also Miss Photogenic

The Ramada Encore in Milton Keynes this weekend was taken over the by the African Spirit.  25 beauties competed in a glittering ceremony at the hotel to win the titles of Miss African Spirit 2011 and Miss African Spirit Junior 2011.

Gumisai Makombe took the crown ahead of 25 other African beauty queens representing 11 countries.  The countries represented this year included Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Angola, Nigeria, Zambia, South Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana and Namibia.

Gumisai, who was born in Harare, will support the Girl Child Network Worldwide (GCNW) and is looking forward to hosting a charity fundraising event for their benefit in Birmingham during the year of her reign as Miss African Spirit 2011.

1st princess was won by Evania Justino who represented Angola.  Evania supports The New Step for the African Community (NESTAC), which is a Rochdale-based non-profit, UK registered charity that supports Africans and immigrants, particularly those living in the North West of England.

2nd princess was won by Zimbabwean Tafadzwa Jambwa who said "It's an honour to have placed in Miss African Spirit because out of the many beautiful finalists of all shapes and sizes I managed to be in the top three.  The first thing I will do now is continue with my vision to work with Maranatha Shelter, raise the Zimbabwean flag high and use my title with dignity."



For the first time this year, a Miss African Spirit Junior contest was run.  Loide Isack (Namibia) wowed the judges with her confidence and beauty and was crowned as winner of this category. Loide is interested in raising awareness of charity organisations in Namibia.  Taking the position of Miss African Spirit Junior 1st princess was Nikki Soetan (Nigeria) who said "Even as 1st princess I am still going to help my chosen charity Stepping Stones Nigeria by helping them to raise funds because I'm very proud to be Nigerian and I would do anything to contribute towards helping my motherland grow".  2nd princess of Miss African Spirit Junior was Chelsea Mandizha (Zimbabwe).  Chelsea supports the Ndoro Children's Charity which helps Zimbabwean children.

On the same night Gumisai Makombe took the prize voted on by judges, and was named as "Miss Photogenic".  "Miss Charity" was named as Oyindamola Asekun (Nigeria), who won this prize for the most outstanding charity fundraising proposal.  "Miss Personality", which is determined by votes by contestants, was won by the very bubbly Oluwatosin Adefila (Nigeria).

Special guests at the event included Milton Keynes' Mayor Councillor Alan Richards; R&B singer/actress Karen Stally (aka Zuwa); the reigning Mrs Universe UK Jayne Taylor; Patsy White owner of Elegant Cristal, and local entrepreneur Anfor Farooque.

Guest appearances were made by the beautiful Miss Teen Galaxy UK Gabriella Gatehouse, and Milton Keynes local beauty, the Face of Elegant Cristal, Ayesha Khanom.

Miss African Spirit pageant director Michelle Adams said the pageant has seen remarkable growth, with prospective contestant enquiries already coming through for a couple of weeks.  Michelle said "We have a lot to learn as the pageant is still very young compared to other pageant systems out there, but in terms of resources and making do with what is available I think we did pretty well.  I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who volunteered, bought tickets, gave advice and took part for their support."