Kanda stars as Southern Sudan beauty queen is crowned

As 23-year-old Sudanese model Atong Ajak Demach was crowned as the new Miss Malaika Southern Sudan last weekend, over 2,000 revellers present shed tears of joy as a new page was opened in the country’s developing showbiz industry.

The beauty pageant, held at Nyakuron Cultural Centre, located in the Southern Sudan’s capital, Juba, was one of the biggest events that united the Sudanese as they celebrated their culture and new beginning since they got peace four years ago, ending a 21-year civil war.

Organised by South Sudanese Artistes Association (SSAA) and heavily sponsored by Vivacell, one of their biggest phone network company, it was the third time for Miss Malaika South Sudan to be held in Juba, ever since it premiered in Kenya in 2005.

The first event was held at Nairobi’s Toona Tree Restaurant, before the organisers took it to Southern Sudan, which had just signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement with the North.

After a one-year break, the event got back on its feet and kicked off the first event ever in Southern Sudan, in 2007, according to Evans Maendeh, one of the directors of SSAA.

“We could not have an event in 2006 here in Juba due to logistics issues. We had to do proper planning since the country had just started re-building itself and everything was a bit slow,” says Mr Maendeh.

And apart from starting the event in Nairobi, Kenya has played a big role in the making of the event, including last weekend’s. Two of the top Kenyan fashion designers, Fundi Frank and Nikita, made clothes for the Sudanese models.

According to Fundi, who took his designs there for the first time, it was an eye-opener event and is expecting more to come.

“The girls looked very lovely on stage and I believe that in the near future, another Alek Wek will come out and show the world how beautiful the Sudanese models are,” he said.

Kenya’s Wyre and Congolese legend Kanda Bongoman, also performed, alongside local musicians like PNP, Coozos Clan, The Rebels, Gordon Kong, just to mention but a few.

The MCs, Lam and Sheema, kept the crowed, which included top government officials and local businessmen, entertained.

The choreography was of international standards, with great music played by the DJ as the models walked on the catwalk.

The panel of judges, which included different professionals in different fields, among them former catwalk models, had a hard time on deciding who takes the crown and ultimately the Mercedes Benz prize.

The event opened doors for the young people to explore their different talents, says Lam Tungwar, the chairman of SSAA, and a musician as well.

“Most of these youths now, I included, were either child soldiers or largely affected by the war. By having such events, they get to learn how to live a new life. They now know that a revolution is not started by the use of firearms, but by the power of our talents,” says Lam, who is also the UN-Habitat Messenger of Truth ambassador, representing Southern Sudan.

He adds that many youths are picking up the microphone and singing for peace and development in the country.

With Lam’s leadership, SSAA has registered over 2,000 artistes, some doing music, others in comedy, film industry and event organisers too.

“The government has given us freedom to do everything we can, but they still need to give us more support as far as financial situation is concerned and other logistics too,” says Lam.

Just like Miss Malaika beauty pageant, most of the Sudanese musicians started their careers in the entertainment industry while in Kenya. But they have now gone back home to launch their careers.

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