"I have all it takes to win Mrs. Africa"

Local beauty queen, model and businesswoman Norah McAslin is among the Top 40 Mrs Africa 2016 contestants.

Continental finalists will battle it out for the most coveted title on December 16. The pageant, which targets married women, opened for entries early February this year and has had a huge response from married women across Africa.

The participating countries are Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Kenya, Swaziland, Mauritius and South Africa.The 29 year-old Bachelor of Arts graduate from the University of Botswana is adamant that she will win the title. “I have what it takes, based on my vast experience. I have been in beauty pageants and modelling industry for over ten years, winning,” she said in an interview with The Midweek Sun.

She discussed her interest to join with her husband before she could join the contest and he encouraged and assured her of victory. Just when she thought her journey in the industry had come to an end, McAslin decided to use her experience to nurture talent among upcoming youngsters. She now runs Norah’s Modeling Academy, which assists upcoming models. She was appointed the coordinator for modelling category during this year’s Presidents’ Day celebrations.

In addition to strutting her stuff on the ramp, McAslin is also a co-founder of Hiding Behind the Mask, a monthly event at which women get together to discuss life’s challenges and share solutions. Under the theme ‘Bringing back dignity to women,’ the Top 40 Mrs Africa 2016 finalists will be focusing on humanitarian work in their countries through the Mrs Africa Foundation. The focus will be on giving dignity back to young girls on the African continent via Dignity Dreams who manufactures and distributes washable, feminine and reusable sanitary wear for young ladies who cannot afford it monthly.

Secondly, a certain amount per Dignity Dreams Sanitary Pack will be distributed to The Nzuri Project where they operate on women in war-torn Eastern DRC who live with Endemic Goiter and Fistula Conditions. McAslin said her fundraising initiatives include Golf day and Bikers’ Ride, which she will host at an announced date in Gaborone.

In response to the Dignity’s Dream Pad initiative, McAslin said however that she is going to need P25 000 as an entry fee and appealed to companies to sponsor her. “The benefit here for them is that I will become their brand ambassador,” she said. Finalists will have an opportunity to compete for one of five Mrs Africa 2016 international titles, and as part of their prize package they will be flown to the international destinations to represent their continent.

Each of the finalists will host their own Mrs Africa Foundation Charity initiatives around the continent. This will create an immediate impact in the lives of so many young ladies and women who are forced to live in undignified circumstances. Voting is ongoing.

Visit Facebook: Mrs Africa and http://www.mrsafrica.org