Lukundo Nalungwe has become the first Zambian ever to win the M-Net Face of Africa crown, after beating nine other contestants at a grand finale held in Lagos, Nigeria last night.

As soon as her name was announced as the winner of US$50,000 and a modeling contract with O Model Africa, The slender Kabwe raised model who now resides in Lusaka, could not hold her tears of joy… and stress perhaps.

"This experience has taught me that it's not only about beauty or the catwalk, but also about building character, being business-minded, knowing about other cultures and representing your country," Lukundo who has attempted the same competition four times, told the Weekend Post earlier before the final.

Lukundo was in fact the last model to be named as part of the top five in last night’s final; she was also the last contestant to be called to the top three crème de la crème in the competition joining Rosanna of Zimbabwe and Ernania of Mozambique. But as surprising as Zambia going through to the semi-finals of the 2010 Africa Cup, Lukundo was named 2009 M-Net Face of Africa.

Judges which included, legendary Somalian supermodel Iman, inaugural FOA winner Oluchi, South African supermodel Josie Borain, fashion show producer Megan Kruger and Kenyan designer John Kaveke, unanimously agreed to give Lukundo the biggest modeling award ever to be won in this country.

Other judges at the competition were award-winning South African designer David Tlale, Nigeria's This Day editor-in-chief Nduka Obalgbena and Arise magazine editor Helen Jennings.

Season eight of M-Net's flagship began early last year, with auditions in 14 African countries, followed by casting sessions where 24 contestants were selected to proceed in the series. The numbers were later reduced to 10 finalists following Model Boot Camps in Mombasa and Dar es Salaam, plus the shooting of a music video with Nigerian Afro-beat star D'Banji.

The Post