The 70th edition of Miss Universe will take place on December 12 in the southern Israeli resort of Eilat and will feature 80 contestants from around the world.
This year’s contestants will travel to Israel in the coming weeks to compete in national costumes, evening gowns and swimsuits. They will also test their public speaking skills by answering a series of questions. Below, the candidates who will represent Africa. (Biographies available on the Miss Universe website).
Michèle-Ange Minkata, 25 years old, (Cameroon)
Michèle-Ange Minkata is a 25 year old designer and entrepreneur with a degree in geography. She is fluent in English and French and currently works in the field of public relations and communication.
She is also very passionate about arts and music, and enjoys spending most of her free time in a dance or recording studio, singing and playing musical instruments. She loves to travel, explore and discover new places.
Michèle-Ange has worked closely with the Smile Train organization in Cameroon to raise awareness about children born with cleft palates, and with the Roger Milla Foundation to raise awareness and funds for children with sickle cell anemia.
Michèle-Ange is a strong supporter of women’s empowerment, as she herself was supported by a close friend when she was constantly bullied for being a tomboy. As a result, she recently launched an academy called Angels & Queens, which empowers young girls to tap into their inner potential. She plans to continue her education and pursue a career in diplomacy.
Some fun facts
“I started school at a very young age and was always the youngest in my class”.
“I was a tomboy throughout my teenage years.
“I record songs in my spare time and I am a self-taught guitarist.
Martina Mituy Avomo, 19, (Equatorial Guinea)
Martina Mituy Avomo studies petrochemical engineering and works as a caregiver for the elderly in a nursing home. She speaks Spanish and French and has traveled to Spain, Cuba, Cameroon and Gabon.
Silvia Naa Morkor Commodore, 27, (Ghana)
Silvia Naa Morkor Commodore is a student of modeling and business administration at Radford University College, a private university in East Legon, Accra, Ghana. She is originally from Pampram in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Growing up in Accra, Silvia Naa Morkor went into business to support her family.
She is a gifted dancer, a talent she discovered while trying to escape the hardships of her childhood. She believes that dance will help street children in the same situation. Today, Silvia Naa Morkor aspires to be a pillar of hope for children who are forced to endure the horrific nightmares of poverty in her community.
Believing that children are a vital force in building the future, she dreams of building a dance school to empower young people to survive today and offer them the possibility of a better future. Silvia Naa Morkor Commodore finds her personal strength in her mother’s words of wisdom, who once told her, “Champions are made of trials, not triumphs.
Some fun facts
“I was always the tallest student in the class throughout my basic education.
“I am a wedding planner and have always hoped to one day have my wedding in space”.
“I am the first woman from my hometown to be crowned Miss Universe Ghana”.
Roshanara Ebrahim, 28, (Kenya)
Roshanara Ebrahim is described as a powerful force of self-determination and someone who exudes an aura of royal charisma and positivity. She is a law graduate from the University of Nairobi and has traveled the world as an international model and editor.
Roshanara Ebrahim walked the runway for South African brand “Maxhosa” at New York Fashion Week, along with South African models Zozibini Tunzi (Miss Universe 2019) and Demi Leigh (Miss Universe 2017). She is the author of the book “Beyond The Darkness”. She is also a mindfulness meditation coach and wishes to lift as many hearts as she can in her lifetime.
In addition, Roshanara Ebrahim is very protective of nature and spends her time planting trees and defending many humanitarian causes that are close to her heart. She is inspired by female solidarity and believes that unity among women can heal the world.
Some fun facts
“I am the first Kenyan woman to have won the titles of Miss Universe Kenya, Miss World Kenya and Miss Supermodel International Kenya”.
“I set a legal precedent for digital privacy rights against revenge porn in Kenya”.
“I love the fact that I have the esoteric wisdom of a sage at my age”.
Anne Murielle Ravina, 26 years old, (Mauritius)
Anne Murielle Ravina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and has already been recognized in Rodrigues and Mauritius for the various projects she manages: “STARS AGENCY”, which deals with youth; “HERS RODRIGUES”, which empowers women by giving them a voice against domestic violence, a goal to be confident and independent; and “GLOBAL SHAPERS RODRIGUES COMMUNITY”, a global youth movement, influencing positive changes through dialogue and action with the motto, “Shape Your Future”.
Anne Murielle Ravina’s work and dedication has impressed so many people, nationally and internationally, that the CNN television network made a documentary about Murielle and Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi as two of the most inspiring young women on the African continent.
At the age of 12, Anne Murielle Ravina lost her mother. Her grandmother, who took great care of her, is now her biggest role model. Understanding how life can suddenly change and the challenges it sometimes brings, Anne Murielle Ravina is determined to help others understand that hardships can be turned into blessings and currently works at a college teaching humanities, art and design. Her other hobbies include drawing, painting, designing clothes and dancing.
Some fun facts
“I was featured on CNN TV Network as one of the most inspiring young African women, alongside Zozibini Tunzi, Miss Universe 2019.
“I am the first woman in my family to graduate from a university and also, the first woman from my native island Rodrigues to compete at Miss Universe”.
“I am fluent in three languages and plan to learn a fourth!”
Chelsi Shikongo, 24, (Namibia)
Chelsi Shikongo was named after the late Chelsi Pearl Smith, who won Miss Universe in 1995 in Namibia. She was inspired by her namesake to enter Miss Namibia and participate in Miss Universe. Chelsi Shikongo is an international model in Germany, South Africa and Singapore. She raised $22,000 in two days for the 150 families who lost their homes in a devastating fire in 2020.
Chelsi Shikongo is also a self-taught creative entrepreneur. She is a stand-up comedian and created her brand of comedy called “Namibian Girl Humor”. She has worked on sets and events as a makeup artist and special effects specialist. She is currently studying development and business.
Chelsi Shikongo is determined to start her own foundation, The Chelsi Shikongo Foundation, and advocate for the implementation of the Food Donation Act to build a soup kitchen and food bank to help low-income and homeless families have a good, healthy daily meal.
Some fun facts
“I’m an award-nominated stand-up comedian and social media performer”.
“I am named after the late Chelsi Pearl Smith, who won the 1995 Miss Universe title in Namibia”.
“I raised $22,000 in 48 hours”.
Maristella Okpala, 28, (Nigeria)
Maristella Okpala is an international flight attendant for Emirates Airline. She has a passion for education and the environment and holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from Imo State University, Nigeria.
Maristella Okpala is a strong advocate for early childhood education and child abuse prevention. Through her work, she has been able to provide over 1,000 children with a free education by providing them with all the essential materials needed to study, as well as humanitarian services to people living in the Makoto community slum in Lagos, Nigeria. It has also provided pregnant women with the support they need for pre- and post-natal care.
Maristella Okpala works closely with the Africa Clean Up Initiative (ACI) Nigeria, which works to promote good waste management and recycling practices. She also supports organizations that provide free malaria testing kits, mosquito nets and basic necessities to people living in the community of Ajegunle, a neighborhood in the heart of Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria.
Maristella Okpala also conducts free malaria testing for people living in the community and aims to raise awareness about the disease among people living in a similar community.
Some fun facts
“I have a collection of refrigerator magnets. I get new magnets in every country I visit, so I currently have over 30.
“I am a flight attendant with Emirates Airline and have traveled to over 40 countries.
“I was a soccer player when I was in college.
Lalela Mswame, 24, (South Africa)
Lalela Mswane was crowned Miss South Africa 2021 on October 16 in Cape Town. A model, ballerina and law graduate, Mswane is from KwaSokhulu in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal.
In high school, she attended Pro Arte Alphen Park School in Tshwane, which combines arts and business in its curriculum, and studied ballet with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) before graduating from the University of Pretoria.
Mswane says she entered Miss South Africa 2021 to fulfill a childhood dream and because she has the compassion, tenacity, leadership and interpersonal skills that make her a worthy titleholder. For her year of reign, she hopes to make an impact on solving the unemployment problem in South Africa.
Some fun facts
“I am a proud Zulu woman.
“I do flamenco dancing.
“My real name is Lalela Umkhosi Wephaseka – having been born on Easter Day, it means “listen to the Easter commemoration”.
Kawtar Benhalima, 22, (Morocco)
After more than 40 years of absence, Morocco signs its return in the Miss Universe contest, where it will be represented by Kawtar Benhalima.
Born in Marrakech, Kawtar Benhalima holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the École supérieure des sciences économiques et commerciales (ESSEC), in Cergy, near Paris. She plans to continue her studies in Montreal, as an educator of people in difficulty, especially children. “My wish is to start a structure for these children and help them to blossom,” she said.
Entrepreneur, Kawtar Behalima launched, in October 2020, her own brand of gold jewelry “K2”. Also passionate about music, she also composes, produces and performs.
