98 Candidates, including 21 Africans, will take part in the election of Miss World 2021, to succeed the Jamaican Toni-Ann Singh, crowned in 2019.
The 2020 edition did not take place because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The final of the Miss World 2021 pageant is scheduled for December 17 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, specifically at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot, the country’s largest indoor venue dedicated to entertainment. Inaugurated in 2004, the “Coliseo”, as it is known, can accommodate up to 18,500 spectators. It has been voted as one of the ten best arenas in the world.
Already in Puerto Rico, the 98 candidates participated on December 6 in T-Mobile Distrito in the “Miss World Top Model”, an event that gives each candidate the opportunity to showcase herself on the catwalk wearing both national dresses and local designer creations. The competition was won by Ivorian candidate Olivia Yacé, while Cameroonian Audrey Monkam took second place and Puerto Rican Aryam Diaz placed third. The candidates are also participating in the “Head to head challenge”, a challenge created in 2017 to allow the candidates to share what they have accomplished during their reign in their respective countries and their ambitions in the world at large. On Thursday, December 9, the Ivorian Olivia Yacé won the second round of the challenge against the Colombian Andréa Aguilera.
Below, the 21 candidates who will represent Africa, plus the portrait of a canidate of African origin representing Ireland. The short biographies are available on the official website of the Miss World contest.
Ruth Carlos, 24 years old, (Angola)
Height: 1.80m
Spoken languages: Spanish and English
In addition to working for an Angolan public company, Ruth Carlos is studying for a degree in Human Resources and has ambitions to work for an international company. She is interested in African dance, volleyball and handball. Ruth Carlos’ favorite movie is “Blame it on the Stars” and her favorite online series is “Master Chef”.
Personal motto: “Persistence, because nothing comes easy”.
Palesa Molefe, 22, (Botswana)
Height: 1.67m
Spoken languages: Setswana and English
Palesa Molefe currently works as an actress, writer and producer, and is the founder of Botswana United Artists, an NGO that aims to highlight the value of artists and mental health in society. Palesa Molefe’s favorite movie is Jan Sardi’s “The Notebook” and her favorite online blog is “DIY Hacks”.
Personal motto: “Make beautiful things, even if no one notices”.
Audrey Monkam, 26 years old, (Cameroon)
Height: 1.80m
Spoken languages: French and English
Audrey Monkam has a degree in banking and finance and currently works as a model. She would like to have her own line of cosmetics or clothes one day. Her favorite movie is “The Sound of Music” and her favorite feel good song is “Happy” by Pharrel Williams. Audrey Monkam also enjoys singing, dancing, traveling and is an avid cook.
Personal motto: “Use your beauty to give meaning and purpose to your life”.
Olivia Yace, 23 years old, (Ivory Coast)
Height: 1.80m
Spoken languages: French, Spanish and English
Olivia Yace has a degree in marketing and management and would like to continue her studies to obtain a Master’s degree. She loves to sing, dance and travel. “Mama Mia” is her favorite movie and her favorite song is “This Little Light of Mine”. If Olivia Yace could ask anyone to dinner, it would be Michelle Obama, whom she admires as a role model.
Personal motto: “Know who you are to know where you’re going”.
Lucila Mibuy, 21, (Equatorial Guinea)
Height: 1.70m
Spoken languages: English and French
Lucila Mibuy is currently studying business administration and management and has ambitions to become an entrepreneur. She is passionate about basketball and fashion. Her most memorable moment was holding her little brother for the first time.
Monique Agbedekpui, 24, (Ghana)
Height: 1.79m
Spoken languages: English
Currently a student, Monique Agbedekpui graduated with a degree in fashion and design and has ambitions to become a renowned fashion designer. She loves to read and dance. Her favorite movie is “Black and Blue” and her favorite song is “When you believe”. Since being crowned, Monique Agbedekpui has been involved in mentoring and entrepreneurship sessions in her local community.
Personal motto: “You can make a difference, every day is a new opportunity”.
Nene Bah, 25 years old, (Guinea)
Height : 1,79m
Spoken languages : French, Fulani, English
After graduating with a degree in business, Nene Bah works as an accountant. She is also a model, a gender equality activist and an advocate for mental health and education. One of her ambitions is to become a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. She enjoys playing board games, singing and learning basketball.
Her personal motto: “Inside each of us is everyone, so let’s be more attentive to each other and practice collective kindness”.
Itchacénia Da Costa , 23 years old, (Guinea Bissau)
Height : 1,79m
Spoken languages: Portuguese, Creole, Spanish, English, Catalan
After graduating in commerce, Nene Bah works as an accountant. She is also a model, an activist for gender equality and an advocate for mental health and education. One of her ambitions is to become a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. She enjoys playing board games, singing and learning basketball.
Her personal motto: “Don’t be afraid to be different, be yourself, being different means that you have something unique to offer to the world”.
Sharon Obara, 22, (Kenya)
Height: 1.75m
Languages spoken: Kiswahili, English and French
Sharon Obara graduated with a degree in French and is currently working on a degree in psychology. She would like to run her own psychiatric practice one day. She enjoys baking and the arts. She is a model and brand influencer. Her favorite movie is “Hotel Rwanda” and her favorite book is “Becoming” by Michelle Obama.
Her personal motto: “What is worth doing is worth giving your best”.
Nellie Anjaratiana, 25 years old, (Madagascar)
Height: 1.70m
Languages spoken: Malagasy, French and English
After studying science and customer relations, Nellie Anjaratiana currently works in the insurance industry, but would like to eventually work in the health sector. She enjoys dancing and swimming. Her favorite song is “I Don’t Care” by Ed Sheeran and she enjoys all kinds of pop and R&B music.
Personal motto: “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken”.
Angélique Sanson, 27 years old, (Mauritius)
Height: 1.70m
Languages spoken: Mauritian Creole, French and English
After obtaining a degree in management and economics, Angélique Sanson is currently working as an administrative manager. She enjoys kite surfing, hiking and has been dancing since she was young. Angelique Sanson was captain of the cheerleading squad in college and has competed nationally. Her favorite song is “Makeba” by Jain.
Personal motto: “Everything happens for a reason. We have to find the positive in every situation”.
Annerie Mare, 26, (Namibia)
Height: 1.79m
Spoken languages: Afrikaans, English and Hereo
Annerie Mare is currently in the second year of her degree in counseling. She also works as a life coach and is an international youth leader. Growing up on a farm, Annerie has often seen elephants and lions roaming around her house and has a pet giraffe. She would like to specialize in horse therapy. She enjoys freestyle dancing and the performing arts.
Personal motto: “Our greatest fear is not that we don’t measure up, but that we are powerful beyond measure”.
Oluchi Madubuike, 25, (Nigeria)
Height: 1.75m
Languages spoken: Igbo and English
After graduating with a degree in nursing, Oluchi Madubuike is currently working as an emergency, critical and intensive care nurse. Her dream is to open the very first specialized oncology and cardiology hospital in Nigeria and become an emergency physician. She enjoys playing volleyball and tennis and is interested in creative writing and Afrocentric dance.
Her personal motto: “You only live once and if you do it right, once is enough”.
Penda Sy, 24 , (Senegal)
Height : 1,72m
Spoken languages: Wolof, Peul and English
After completing her studies in accounting, auditing and management control, Penda Sy is currently working as a model and has the ambition to become a fashion icon. Her hobbies and interests include handball, gymnastics and cooking.
Penda Sy is also passionate about dancing and her proudest moment was when she received her first salary.
Shudufhadzo Musida, 25, (South Africa)
Height: 1.74m
Languages spoken: Tshivenda and English
Shudufhadzo Musida graduated with a degree in social sciences with a focus on philosophy, economics, politics and international relations. She is currently pursuing her studies and is also the founder and president of her own foundation. One of her dreams is to work for the United Nations. Shudufhazdo is also a mental health activist and has had many opportunities to speak on international platforms.
Personal motto: “We should all speak the language of service, that’s how we can change the world”.
Juliana Rugumisa, 24, (Tanzania)
Height: 1.75m
Languages spoken: Kiswahili and English
After completing her studies, Juliana Rugumisa is currently working as a prosthetics and orthotics intern at the national hospital. Her ambition is to start her own NGO to help people with physical disabilities. Her proudest moment was when she was able to save a physically disabled girl who had not left home in five years.
Juliana Rugumisa has two cats: Raha and Amani. She enjoys playing the piano, singing and going on adventures.
Her personal motto : “go for it”.
Amani Layouni, 22 , (Tunisia)
Height: 1.75m
Spoken languages: Arabic, French and English
Amani Layouni is currently a physical education student and a temporary teacher. Her proudest moment was when she won the silver medal at the All-African Games in Taekwondo. She has also won many national and international competitions and hopes to represent Tunisia at the 2024 Olympic Games. Amani Layouni also enjoys basketball, tennis and traditional Afro and Tunisian dances.
Personal motto: “Don’t stop until you’re proud”.
Elizabeth Bagaya, 26, (Uganda)
Height: 1.69m
Languages spoken: Luganda, Rutooro, Ruyankole and English,
After graduating with a degree in Human Resource Management, Elizabeth Bagaya currently works as a makeup artist and aspires to own her own makeup studio. Her proudest moment is organizing a Christmas party for children with mental health issues. Her favorite book is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho and her favorite movie is “Forrest Gump”.
Personal motto: “Be you, do you”.
Vanessa Chinyemba, 24, (Zambia)
Height: 1.78m
Languages spoken: Nyanja, Bemba and English
Current occupation: Public Relations Officer
Khadija Omar (Somalia)
N/A
Grace Ingabire, 25, (Rwanda)
Height : N/A
Spoken languages: N/A
Diaspora
Pamela Uba, 26, (Ireland). Origin : Nigeria
Height : 1,65m
Spoken languages : English
After completing a Masters in Clinical Chemistry at Trinity College Dublin, Pamela Uba currently works as a medical scientist and part-time model and has ambitions to become a biochemistry consultant. She is interested in soccer and dancing and enjoys singing. Her favorite movie is “The Note Book” and she has a pet dog named Baeby who is both a German Shepherd and an Akita.
Personal motto: “Your difference is what makes you unique and that difference is beautiful.
