THE GLAMOUR AT THE MNET FINALS

On Saturday February 6, in a stylish haute couture showcase 22-year-old Lukando Nalungwe from Zambia joined an exclusive group of winners when she was named the eighth and newest M-Net Face of Africa. The striking model scooped USD 50 000 from M-Net along with a modeling contract from O Model Africa and skincare products for 12 months from Iman Cosmetics.

Re-invention and innovation are hot buzzwords for the global fashion community and in a two-hour show, screened live from Lagos to 47 countries across Africa, M-Net presented a bold new vision for the Face of Africa Final opting for an edgier version of a traditional runway show and presenting the models on a black, floor-based runway in a contemporary warehouse.
With the Final themed to resemble the loading warehouse of an art museum, where precious gallery pieces are prepared for display, the staging included massive cargo boxes stamped with African destinations with extra-ordinary sized gold frames that showcased the fashion and the finalists; and packaging tape demarcating the runway from the show’s seated guests, it was a uniquely fresh approach to showcasing Afro-chic expression.
Hosted by Studio 53’s Fareed Khimani (Kenya) and former Face of Africa Kaone Kario (Botswana) with a guest appearance by last season’s Face of Africa Kate Menson (Ghana), the finale included entertainment from Nigerian superstar D’banj belting out his hits Suddenly and Fall in Love.
Meanwhile soulful South African songstress Lira, shimmering in green silk, showed why she’s one of Africa’s rising stars with two brilliant performances of her hits Feel Good and Believer!
But the night belonged to the TOP 10 – and from the minute that Nigeria’s Marvis kicked off the show, followed in rapid success by Tholakele (Zimbabwe), Lilian (Tanzania), Esperanca (Angola), Thembi (South Africa), Blessing (Nigeria), Rosanna (Zimbabwe), Diana (Kenya), Ernania (Mozambique) and Lukando (Zambia), it was very clear just who the stars of the show really were.
Showing how much they’ve learnt during the Face of Africa search, which DStv audiences have been following for 15 weeks, the Face of Africa TOP 10 hit the catwalk with confidence, graceful as they strode down the catwalk resplendent in garments designed by the best of African designers.
Commenting on the event, M-Net MD Biola Alabi congratulated Lukando on her win saying,
“It’s an incredible thing to watch someone’s life literally change in front of your eyes and when it happens live in front of a continent, it is remarkable and a very special moment. We are very proud of Lukando and all of the TOP 10 for their determination and focus and want to thank them for sharing this journey so openly.”

NGANGALITO TO JOIN SAKATA TOUR

With the conclusion of the dance reality search on Citizen TV, Sakata, comes the finalists tour.
F.B.I Dancers, Igiza Dancers and Attitude Dancers will be joining TPF3’s star Ngangalito in the tour dubbed Sakata After party.

It kicks off this Friday 12 at Club Tamiez in Kisumu. It will also feature surprise appearances from Kiss 100’s Jalango.
Funny the winners of Sakata, I-Emas are not among the list of dancers on tour...

WHEN A LAW ABIDING CITIZEN GOES MANIACAL

The movie, Law Abiding Citizen is a bloody thriller about the well planned vengeance plan of Clyde Shelton ( Gerald Butler) after he watched his family murdered. To make the already horrific situation worse, prosecutor Nick Rice ( Jamie Foxx) offers one of the suspects caught a lighter sentence for testifying against his partner, much to dismay of Clyde . A decade after loosing his family, Clyde orchestrates his elaborate game of revenge from inside a prison cell.
You can't help and root for Clyde as he turns into a maniacal killing machine as he leaves behind a bloody trail of murder. His shift from a helpless widower who is an underdog screwed up by the justice system is quick.
Clyde's role is played quite well giving the movie the much needed oomph but the prosecutor, played by Jamie is unconvincing. To start with, The whole situation was caused due by the deal made to let off one of the murdered in a bid to keep up his 96 percent conviction rate.
And through out the movie, you don't get the feeling of remorse at the miscarriage of justice. Even the mayor doesn't get what the bloodlettings is all about. In addition, then you don't even get to know who or what Chester does, a key character that uncovered Clyde's well laid out plans of revenge.
The details of his job history are revealed, during a secret meeting in a tunnel somewhere, late in the movie. however, the clever part of the movie comes from the cleverly rigged explosions and executions.
Law Abiding Citizen is rated R. If you haven't watched it, rush to your nearest video store or shop and get yourself the movie. Personally i hate the ending. Clyde was short changed big time.
Ratings : 4/5

DJ EDU TO SPIN AT ULOPA AND KLEPTO'S LONDON GIGS

Come February 10, Kenyan producer and singer Ulopa will be giving two performances in London, backed by UK based radio DJ Edu and the Kleptomaniax, Collo and Roba.
The BBC 1-Extra DJ will be spinning the wheel at the Revenge Tour.
the first show will go down at the Crescent Bar, 3 North End Crescent, London, W14 8TG from 8pm till 2.30am in the London Red Alert gig.
Crescent Champagne bar is a luxurious new venue nestled between the bustling West End and media-centric Notting Hill. There are 3 different VIP rooms for that special party or someone, with waitress service and own VIP bar. With Klepto & Ulopa serenading you.
The second gig dubbed Manchester Red Alert will go down at the The Place Hotel, Piccadilly, Manchester , M1 2TP, on Saturday 13.
The Place Hotel is a 4 star hotel venue located in the heart of town that promises style and class. 3 levels in one massive room, that’s about as much as I can explain. VIP sitting will make you feel above the room…literally.

SUDANESE MODEL HAILED AS NEXT NAOMI CAMPBELL

Australian-Sudanese model Ajak Deng has been predicted as the next supermodel five years after she fled her troubled African homeland with her family.
The 19-year-old refugee was said to be following in the footsteps of catwalk queen Naomi Campbell as she continues to leave her mark on the ramps.
"She is on her way to stardom," the Daily Telegraph quoted Stephen Bucknell, manager of Deng's modelling agency, FRM Model Management, as saying.
The African-Aussie stunner would soon adorn global newsstands as the latest face for the United Colours of Benetton campaign.
She is set to return Down Under in March for L'Oreal Fashion Week.
Watch this face people

P SQUARE'S LAS VEGAS SHOW CANCELED

Nigerian brodas P Square were scheduled toperform in Las Vegas for the Valentine weekend but it has been canceled due to 'unattainable logistics in the city', the organiser revealed.
Take Over DJs in a statement wrote: "We regret to announce the cancellation of the P Square concert in Las Vegas. When we first heard the USA Sevens tournament moved to the entertainment capital of the world, we were excited for the new challenge & knew this year more than ever we had to step it up by matching the type of entertainment the city offers & so we worked to get P Square & managed to secure the deal but there's one thing we did not anticipate... LAS VEGAS. The city has proved impossible to attain realistic logistics by expenses, venues, permits & all, any event organizer or resident of the state can attest to that. We searched high & low, made countless contacts, went though dozens of meetings but the fact that the tournament is falling on Valentine's Weekend & President's Weekend it is simply one of their busiest weekends & no offer seemed reasonable. It was either charge the public $90 and above to make business sense of it or not do it at all & with the economic state of the country still shaky, it became more of a road block than a challenge especially since we refuse to compromise on quality.
This was an extremely hard decision to accept being that we have never canceled an event plus had invested alot to putting together this show, but in the end we believe it was the right decision to make. But just like anything in life, when one door closes, another opens and we are happy to announce our good friends at the HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO along with USA SEVENS have contracted us as the official entertainment company for the USA Sevens After Events taking place at the HARD ROCK where all the teams will be staying! We apologize for any inconveniences but look forward to hosting you in Las Vegas."

TID DUBAI TOUR CANCELED

Tanzanian crooner TID won't be staging a performance in Dubai as it has been canceled. The TID Live In Dubai concert that was slotted for February 4 and 5 was canceled today. The person taking over the slot is Casuarina's newest DJ Crucial who will be spinning bongo flava tunes and party tracks.