TWO BASINGSTOKE women have been shortlisted as finalists in the Miss/Mrs Africa UK 2020 competition.

Aida Sane was born in Paris but moved to Basingstoke four years ago.

The 33-year-old financial account analyst says she is “ecstatic” to have been chosen.

She told the Gazette: “I am ecstatic that I have been announced as a Miss/Mrs Africa UK Finalist for 2020 representing Senegal which is my country of origin, out of a record number of entries received by the organisation.

“My journey began in 2020, will continue into 2021 and beyond. This is a journey along with the other beautiful, sophisticated and women from all over the UK.”

Claris Angafor, 43, has also been selected as a finalist.

The charity leader, inspirational speaker and author coaches parents of special needs children or anyone facing challenging or complex life issues, through her organisation CAN-Abilities.

Claris was born in Cameroon, but has lived in Basingstoke since 2006.

The mother-of-two said: "I am filled with so much joy, excitement and even overwhelmed to have been announced as a Miss/Mrs Africa UK Finalist for 2020."

Once selected, the finalists attend virtual workshops to help them prepare for the journey ahead. 

Miss/Mrs Africa UK is not a standard beauty pageant organisation, but a real-life showcase of women of African Background in the UK.

It is the first and only Miss/Mrs Africa UK pageant and is ready to compete alongside other leading brands in the industry.

The organisation says: "We are redefining the way beauty is often defined in beauty pageants. We are dispelling the age-long notion that beauty pageants are reserved for less intelligent women with only physical attributes to show.

"We are more than the physical appearances but incorporate the wholesomeness (all sizes, shapes, heights, etc.) of a woman and looks at things such as character, impact to the community and how a woman’s stand in the community builds the future.

"Gone are the stereotypes that do not match the individual, bearing the burden of a crown of ideals being placed upon their heads, diminishing the power of their womanhood to the stigma of unattainable beauty."

The program was created for African women, aged 30+ and based in the UK. The grand finale of Miss/Mrs Africa UK 2020 will be held in October 2021. For more information visit: www.mrsafrica.co.uk.