MOSSEL BAY NEWS - African Pageants held the annual Miss Africa 2020 pageant in Johannesburg last weekend.

Contestants from any country on the African continent could enter. Mossel Bay's Danica Barnard competed in the African Pageants competition in 2017 for the Miss Africa United Nation title to represent Africa in Canada in 2018 and she won the title.

This year, she returned for the overall continental title of Miss Africa 2020.

Well-deserved accolade
Contestants were judged on their portfolios in community involvement, on their ramp skills and overall grooming, poise and posture. The most important aspect judged was the one- on-one interview.

First were the orientation and registration. Following this, during breakfast with the judges, the contestants were judged on their social and interaction skills.

Throughout the day, contestants were required to dress according to the criteria of each judging stage. This was to test their ability to master this skill of preparing for future public appearances.

The day ended with a ramp session, showcasing evening wear. On stage, the contestants had to introduce themselves to the audience. Danica won over not only the judges, but also the audience during her introduction, focusing on her passion and life.

To top this, she looked particularly stunning in her red dress. She received special mention from the judges on her look, grooming, interview and portfolio, earning her the well- deserved accolade of overall winner and Miss Africa 2020.

She was then adorned with the custom-made crown worth R45 000. It was designed and made in Austria with copper from South Africa. After being sent back to South Africa, it was decorated with Swarovski crystals. The ceremonial sash, worth R5 000, is also decorated with Swarovski crystals.

Danica will continue her work as a role model in the community as a member of the Africa Continental Sisterhood and as always, be a proud ambassador for Mossel Bay.

Her plans are to finish her B Ed degree this year and to continue to inspire children, especially children with learning disabilities. "Children are my passion and as a staff member of Little Lighthouse Preschool, I work with them every day. It is very important for me to be seen as a role model rather than a model."

A year started well
Earlier this year, the United Nation International Pageant System, based in Toronto Canada, honoured Danica with a lifetime title as Miss United Nation - International Ambassador.

It is the first time a lifetime title has been awarded by the United Nation International Pageant System. It was bestowed on Danica in recognition of the role she played during her reign, as both a role model and an ambassador of the UNIP brand. She won the Junior Queen of the World title in 2016 and Miss United Nation in 2018 and reigned as such until the end of 2019.

In 2018 Danica was also the recipient of an International Ambassador Award from Africa Pageants in recognition of her efforts to promote and represent the African continent internationally.

Danica dedicated this title to the executive mayor of Mossel Bay, Alderman Harry Levendal, in gratitude for the continuous support from him and his council.