THE search for the most beautiful and charitable African girl in the United Kingdom is over after a model from Zimbabwe was crowned Miss African Spirit last Saturday.
Harare-born Gumisai Makombe took the crown ahead of 25 other African beauty queens representing 11 countries.
Gumisai, from Birmingham, will now go on to start charitable engagements with the Girl Child Network charity.
Speaking after her triumph at a Milton Keynes hotel, the beauty beamed: "I feel amazing. It's absolutely wonderful.
"I lost my father when I was very young, so I am very much looking to offer advice to orphans and others growing up without one parent. I will invest my time, talent and efforts to the Girl Child Network back in Zimbabwe. It was something I always wanted to do and I can’t wait to start.”
Gracing the event were Milton Keynes council officials; R&B singer/actress Karen Stally; the reigning Mrs Universe England Jayne Taylor; Miss Teen Galaxy UK Gabriella Gatehouse, and local entrepreneur Anfor Farooque.
Miss African Spirit pageant director Michelle Adams saluted the models for their efforts, adding that the second annual event had seen remarkable growth.
She said: “I have personally been putting in between 12 to 16 hours most days since January to get to this point, so I feel a bit relieved as it is a lot of hard work.
“I am inspired by my passion for people and I want to create a community of women who are working for charity. And if one of them can do something to influence just one other person in the world, that is the stuff that makes me content and emotional at once,” Michelle said.
Gumisai’s first appearance is set to be at the
AfroFest festival in Birmingham at the weekend where Afro-Pop sensations Bkay & Kazz will be headlining.
The duo launched their third album LP, African Spirit, on Friday night at a near capacity-full Groove Night Club in Milton Keynes.
Supported by rapper, Karizma, Dancehall artists Jusa Dementor and Decibel, as well as rising star Roby Gee, the duo put up a splendid performance.