20-year old wins Miss South Sudan beauty contest

By Julius N. Uma

December 05, 2010 (JUBA) – Glitz, glamour and beauty characterized Saturday’s Miss South Sudan’s final show, where 20-year-old Rachel Angeth emerged winner of the event, popularly known as Miss Malaika.

Angeth, a contestant from Lakes State beat 15 contestants who had qualified for the finals, while Ruth Peter (Unity State) and Zundia Ezra (Western Equatoria) were first and second runner-ups respectively.

The crowd was enormous, the stage well-lit and performances from the night’s master of ceremonies and traditional dancers kept the audience engaged for most of the six-hour occasion.

Angeth, according to the seven panels of judges was the most “committed, creative and hard working” contestant. The judges also looked for originality, confidence and intelligence among the contestants.

Rebecca Nyadeng Garang requested for a moment of silence in memory of her husband John Garang de Mabior the former President of Southern Sudan and First Vice President of Sudan. Garang led southern rebels the SPLM in a two decade conflict with the northern government over identity, resources (oil, water) and economic and political marginalization.

In January the south will hold an independence referendum as part of the peace deal Garang negotiated and signed in 2005 with the Khartoum government.

Rebecca Garang, who is the adviser on gender to John Garang’s successor as Southern President Salva Kiir Mayardit, encouraged the models by telling them there was no loser at the end of the day.

“Whether you take the crown home or not, you all need to know that you are all winners just by the fact that you have represented our country,” Rebecca Garang said.

CONGOLESE ARTIST THRILLS CROWD

The event was host to a variety of performances from local artists including PNC, Dinka Boy, Unique Arafat, Coozos Clan, Southern Voice, the Mundari and Maale traditional dancers.

Award-winning Congolese musician, Kanda Bongoman, was arguably the nights star performer, despite a 30-minute power cut that threatened to derail the whole event.

The king of “kwasa kwasa” as he is popularly known, took to the stage at about 11:40 pm performing favorites such as ‘Muchana’ and ‘Elizabeth’, as people crowded around the stage to dance and take photos.

The annual event, based on the theme, “The beauty of African origin” was organized by Southern Sudan Artist Association (SSAA).

The winner received a Progress Toyota car and the top five contestants each won a laptop, courtesy of UAP Insurance Sudan, one of the event sponsors. The sponsors were others were Rhino Stars, Arech Motors and Eyat Construction Company.

(ST)