Kenyan Girl Beats Tough Competition To Win Australian Beauty Pageant

Meet 22 year old Sylvia Wambui Karanja from Eldoret, Kenya. She is a Environment and Land conservation Student and currently the Miss Africa-Perth 2013 after beating stiff competition from other well-endowed ladies. When Team Ghafla! contacted her about this achievement here’s what she had to say;

“I chose to participate in this years miss Africa Perth (MAP 2013) because I wanted to challenge myself to try something new and outta my comfort box. During our rehearsals conducted by Ms. Mutale Chitolo, I got to learn on how to build my confidence. Other than that got the opportunity to meet lovely ladies from different African countries and I have formed wonderful friendships with them. Being crowned miss Africa perth come with great responsibility as I also become a youth ambassador for the African youth. I got the honour to travel to Canberra to celebrate 50 years of African union held at the residence of the high commissioner Botwana, and to represent the young Africans. I am looking forward to a year full of challenges and great opportunities.However I will embrace whatever comes my way with confidence and dignity for I am a Proud African Woman!”

                                                Here she is!

She was recently at the South African embassy in Canberra (Australia) and after being hosted there as a guest gave a moving speech at an event attended by several Diplomats and significant individuals representing Africa and friends of Africa at the African Union 50th Anniversary celebrations. Here are some photos:

                                  With Canada’s Ambassador to Australia and his wife

                           With acting Kenyan Ambassador Yvonne Wamalwa

                                               with Australias Foreign Affairs minister Bob Carr

                                     with South African ambassador to Australia

       with Botswana ambassador to Australia and his wife

Founded by Dr. Casta Tungaraza, Miss Africa-Perth, formerly Faces of Africa, is an event that gives young African women an opportunity to showcase African heritage through culture, fashion, traditions, music, art and beauty, it provides a snapshot of cultural and social identities and serves the purpose of strengthening community cohesiveness and promoting cultural understanding, it is a way of infusing these into the wider community and making our presence felt, as Africa. Miss Africa Australia (Perth) provides mentoring and leadership development support for positive transformation of African girls by encouraging them to be youth ambassadors and develop effective strategies and tools to get their messages heard, and to be part of the solution to community problems. It is a means through which young people can express their ideas, contribute their expertise and collectively participate in the advancement of our society.

           with Dr. Casta Tungaraza

Started from the bottom now she’s there, right?