Tomorrow, six men and seven women will grace the stage of the Natural Cultural Centre displaying intelligence, talent and creativity as they vie for the Mr & Ms Guyana African Roots 2016 titles.
The 13 contestants hail from Berbice, Linden, Essequibo and Georgetown. The preliminary segments included a Cook-out competition in Essequibo where the contestants were placed in groups. Then on February 6, a cotillion and launch was held at the African Heritage Museum where the contestants displayed their African attire and introduced themselves during an intelligence segment. Latoya Freeman and Paul Meusa were the winners of that segment.
In an interview, Director Kelton Jennings of Unique Art Productions, whose idea it was to have the pageant said the first pageant in 2013 was structured to bring back the dying African culture. However, it was a pageant strictly for men since there are many pageants highlighting the beauty, talent and intelligence of women. But this time around, he thought it was time for inclusivity.
“This is beauty and handsomeness with a purpose. You can’t just be intelligent; you’ve got to be creative too. Rehearsals began December last. Each contender was given a different African country. On the night of the pageant, presentations will be done on countries… the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Malawi, Uganda, Swaziland, Tanzania, Nigeria, Angola and Botswana. Come and be blown away by unique personalities,” Jennings said.
The pageant caters for persons from 18 to 39 years old, who will compete in the Introduction, Country Presentation, Talent, Creative Swimwear, Evening Attire and Answer & Question segments. Patrons can complement the pageant by wearing Afrocentric outfits.
In 2013 Rashlie Joseph won the Mr Guyana African Roots title and is currently the reigning king. The pageant was projected to be an annual one but due to lack of sponsorship they were unable to pull off another until now.
The king and queen will receive $150,000 each along with trips to Jamaica where they’ll represent Guyana in the United Nations Pageant slated for July 9. First runners-up will receive $100,000 each. Kare’s Engineering Inc and Bushy Park Sawmill sponsored the first and second prizes.
The third prizes of $75,000 each along with consolation prizes are sponsored by Ministry of Tourism, Bornion Guyana Inc and Fon Roje Variety Store.
Tickets for the pageant cost $1,500 and $1,000 and the show starts at 8 pm sharp.
