Friday, March 29, 2024

Zambia’s Lukundo Nalungwe is M-Net Face of Africa

Share

Tears of joy..ZAMBIA’S Lukundo Nalungwe being congratulated
Tears of joy..ZAMBIA’S Lukundo Nalungwe being congratulated

ZAMBIA’S Lukundo Nalungwe yesterday blazed to aesthetic glamour when she bagged the M-Net Face of Africa award and in doing that turned around her life.“I am grateful to the Lord and Zambians for having been with me in their prayers.

There are so many girls who could have easily been picked as winners and for everybody who supported me, I say thank you…I am honoured,” said the 22-year-old Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICAS) student.

Lukundo beat nine other models selected from an initial batch of over 400 and starts her new career with a trip to America this week to take part in the New York Fashion week.

Lukundo, who won the whooping US$50,000 prize, said even after winning the glamourous award, she will not stop school.

“I know this has opened doors to many things but I will remain focused. I am writing my examinations in June and I will remain myself,” she said.

It was a tensed up final, with Lukundo having been the last announced in the top five at the event held at Lagos’ Eko Hotel and witnessed by a number of dignitaries, including 1988 winner Oluchi, who was one of the judges.

As the last five was trimmed to Lukundo, Zimbabwe’s Rosanna Hall and Ernania Rainha Manuel from Mozambique in the last three, it was difficult to know who would strike gold.

Immediately Lukundo was announced winner, tears of joy rolled down her face and minutes later back stage, she made her call to Zambia.

“I phoned my elder sister and all I heard were screams. They sounded happy and I think we will only talk when all of us come to terms with this,” she said.

It was elegance, poise and aesthetic glamour that Lukando displayed to make her win the first prize and prop her to fame.

She said she had made a shot at qualifying for the M-Net Face of Africa award three times before, the first having been when she was 18 years.

“I knew I would make it one day and this is why I tell Zambian girls never to give up on their dreams,” Lukundo said.

In the post event interview, Lukundo broke down as she remembered her brother who died a day before she was selected to represent Zambia.

Oluchi described Lukundo as the appropriate candidate for the crown.

“She worked hard for six months and deserves to win. Her winning is not based on tonight’s events, but events in the last six weeks,” she said.

M-Net Africa director of operations Biola Alabi praised Lukundo for winning and appealed to young girls to emulate her hard work.

Other finalists were from Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Angola and South Africa.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

111 COMMENTS

  1. Please stay focused and watch for life distractors especially men, some of whom may flock for sex since you are now a celebrity but mainly for your money. There is more to life and this is the time to begin to think from outside the box. However, congrats for winning and may God bless you.

  2. Go girl you made Zambia proud! Beauty with brains-what a rare combination! …i watched the show…really you were the only one who looked relaxed and i knew you would get it! Keep it up!

  3. Congratulations Lukundo and I hope you have a successful career.

    On “I know this has opened doors to many things but I will remain focused. I am writing my examinations in June and I will remain myself”, I say that is the spirit as education is important more especially in a fast growing economy like Zambia which needs all the educated citizens it can get.

  4. Congrats, and as many colleagues have rightly advised, you should continue furthering your studies and be a role model to our young girls. Stay away from the so called “big men” whose sole motive is to destroy. Well done young lady, very proud of you! At least we’ve something to smile and brag about as Zedians.

  5. Congrats I’m so happy and proud of you girl. You carried yourself and presented our country very well, we love you:x:x

  6. In place of the usual tosh from SENIOR CITIZEN we have this is very good news . Congratulations young lady. Twasalifya for making us proud.

  7. Wow! congrats young lady. Brains and beauty, a very powerful combination indeed—-and you got it. You sure do sound like someone who has their priorities straight—-education, education, and education!

    By the way, I agree with #1, Ba Mwinemushi, now that you are a celebrity (like it or not), look out for “groupies” who will be after nothing but your fame and money. Continue representing your yourself, your family, and your country with honour and dignity. GOOD LUCK!!

  8. There was one Zambian girl who won Big Brother. She became Zambia Open to an extent where one deputy minister then impregnanted her. Utekanye mwana ka.

  9. :”> I was watching a video of her home in Lusaka, how she lost her parents and brother. God bless you. You have made all of us so proud!

  10. What are the initials and acronym for the Zambia Centre for Accountancy Studies? Is it ZCAS or ZICAS?
    Imwe guys mukazilemba bwino, it is ZCAS and not ZICAS.

  11. NICE ONE!!!!! atleast if our boys cant win the Africa cup , let our gals win such events. We are proud of you gal.=))=d>

  12. Congratulations young lady you have made us proud. For one who is in the modelling industry it is so possible for you to stay rooted to the ground yet enjoy your fame at the same time. Really proud of you perseverance has paid off!!!

  13. A beautiful win. A big one…. Lukundo,thanks for putting zambia on the map.The virtue of achievement is victory over oneself. Those who know this can never know defeat.Nothing stops the man or woman who desires to achieve. Every obstacle is simply a course to develop his achievement muscle. It’s a strengthening of his powers of accomplishment.The roots of true achievement lie in the will to become the best that you can become.

  14. Oh Yah ! Congratulation Lukundo ! ” Kuchi Uko ?” I hope ” mulikanawa” Here we can now celebrate because we have won through the girl. Were is RB ? Why can he organise a party for the young Girl at State House ? for the winner Lukundo; Not the soccer losers. ( Tuletontonkanya first ).

  15. Here we go! Have not read such overwheming positive comments in a long time. Sis you made us all proud, Zambia ia still a beatiful country.

  16. ZAMIBA HAS TAKEN 2010 MNET FACE OF AFRICA. WELL DONE TO OUR LUKANDO NALUNGWE YOU HAVE DONE US PROUD DEAR. Just imagine without a coach she won the final,lol. Zambian women are so brave, hello Zambian men lets wake up or else will we continue pushing wheelbarrows and drinking shakie shakie all day!!! lol

  17. CONRATULATIONS LUKUNDO. you should show your true beauty by organising your life, spiritually , mentaly and education. Stay focused , you have the entire world.
    #16 the girl who won Big brother show is happilly married to some London businessman.

  18. very good ka baby! zambians are always winning these big titles in africa. wat a blessed country. we love you lukundo

  19. Good Afternoon all and congratulations Lukundo!

    Black is beauty and so are the black women of the Zambeziland. However, as some bloggers have already pointed out, the spiritual wealth inside is more important than the good looks outside.

    Pretty girls can also be a hassle. As a student some time back, I could hardly concentrate on the teacher when I focussed on the girls, which was almost all the time. The temptation was especially hard during physical education class…:-\”

  20. A bit out of topic but I thought I should share this: I have just been reading an interesting newspaper article on how the internet is currently changing the way people think.

    Frank Schirrmacher Feuilleton Editor and Co-Publisher of Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, has noticed that we are apparently now in a situation where modern technology is changing the way people behave, people talk, people react, people think, and people remember. Are we turning into a new species — informavores? — he asks.

    What do LT bloggers think? 😕

  21. Good and well done sis! You made me so very happy that I felt like am the one on that catwalk.God gave you the challenge and performed a miracle for you.Even in New York He will be with you.

    Can somebody please do a Zambia has got talent!

  22. #40 Abraham’s Sara I’m not 100% sure but Lukundo sounds Lozi-ish, maybe her mum is Lozi and her dad Namwaanga? ~X(

    Let’s just say she’s… proudly Zambian **==

  23. finally something to smile about in zambia. it has been depressing for some time. thanx little girl. you are a star. dont let chaps like # 41 lie to you. just be focsed

  24. lets face girlfriend, something has got to give. dont bre kidding yourself that you will juggle the two, school and this miss Mnet thing. It is not possible. Modelling is a 36 hours a day job and you only have 24 hours in a day. You have two options 1 – get the money and go back to school and you will have a descent job and an average life. 2- get into modelling full time you have a great opprtunity to make millions of dollars, be abused by the system and be rich. good luck girlfriend

  25. # 49 good observation, now is the time that this girl needs devine intervention. her life will never be the same again. i hope she comes from a strong family background and support system. modelling on the international scene can be a monster.

  26. Geewhiz! I luv this If I meet her I will certainly marry her cos that combination is rare and Iam a very very rich man!

  27. #49, what school is at ZICAS for one to put in 16 hours of work.Already this girl has showed her determination, am sure she can handle it.Remember that Cynthia Kanema was at Copperbelt university when she was modelling and still she managed to finish her school.Its people like you of a little mind who can fail to handle both,because already you have displayed a spirit of a quiter.stay on your grind and learn the simple fact that the mind of man is limitless and time is in your orbit that you can monitor and control.If your mind believe then you can achive,your mind is the only obstacle in this life.

  28. Nine Chale,internet has ended up degrading the thinking capacity of man,the way we interact,so many social networks like twitter,facebook, not forgetting LT (Sometimes) have really changed the way we think and behaviour.People no longer interact physically but instead depend on these social networks.Sit all day behind a computer,to chat instead of taking a walk to be with your friends (some kind body exercise).A great possibility of cardiovascular diseases will be enhanced by this type of setting we are in.people have no time to think because most of the information is already available.they tend to waste time,just like am wasting it right now…

  29. GHOST DOG, # 52 you must have more information on a subject before you engage on a public forum. Cynthia was a miss Zambia, miss Africa international. those small small awards which dont compare to Mnet face of Africa. The amount of work and exposure is on a totally bigger level. The face of Africa is not just a model but a representative of Africa on the Catwalks of Italy , France, US, etc. She will be modelling for names like Ralph Lauren,Victoria’s Secret,John Galliano etc. she will be interacting with models like Oluchi,Kate Tachie-Menson etc. she will be all over Africa in the next weeks before she goes global. now you tell me where she will find time to study full time. By the way i work for a modeling agency with a contract to cover this year’s MNET face of Africa so i know the…

  30. Mr.Ghostdog. that is so true. You know what this is the first time I’ve ever read something really smart from you.And thats a compliment.:)

  31. CONGRATS……….Nice to see some Zambians trying to put Zambia on the world map in a positive way.We need more of this,not everyone trying to be president.

  32. #53 Ghost Dog that’s very true bro. It is really important to regulate the time and energy that one spends on the net – although sites like this can bring people together in constructive dialogue as they perform a useful role in classifying issues and offering useful ideas/solutions to various problems. At the end of the day, what matters most is the physical connection and social network.

  33. Congrats!!!! learn from Cherise and invest your money wisely. Guys will come after you but do not be deceived. If they didn`t show their ugly faces then, why should they want you now? Be smart and continue pushing towards your goal. This should only act as a stepping stone to getting where you have always wanted to be. God bless you even more.

  34. Andre Malunga I cant waste time trying to get useless info,all those names you have mentioned have no signifance to me,there is no convergence with my brain disc.I cant waste time trying to check how people model,I rather be modelling structures .Instead of checking human models walking and twisting their butts,I rather be predicting the deformations and stresses in the structures that are attributed by such instabilities as torsional moments,dynamic loads,wind loads etc.Instead of human body flexibilty,am concerned with the structural stiffnesses.Safety for human beings is what I live for.
    Sorry I get confused with that word “modelling”,to me it means simulating …>:/

  35. iye ba ghost dog hahaha. muliko bad imwe ayi? wat are u studyni ayi? is that yo picture? am a man but i would still accept for u to do things to me. mulibasuma imwe mmmm.. mwaaah. im bisexual sometimes. lets link up. im part of a group of fella based in germany we run a group which invoolves gangbanging, fima orgies, and even filya fi two in the behind hole.and even all holes filled.

  36. It was Cherise winning Big Brother, then came the lady with a golden voice winning the Africa music singing talent. Now u Lukundo. Aah Congrats girl. U have put smiles on our faces. U truely the face of africa.

  37. Congrats Lukundo!! After reading about your family and hearing your heartache, you truly deserve to win! NEXT TIME, USE A DIFFERENT DESIGNER! Angela Mulenga is not worth the scandal!! She is involved with a married man….. you dont want to have that kind of designer working behind you! She may take your man someday, honey!!!!

  38. # 63, thats why you should let people with knowledge on a matter speak. you are in structure modelling and i am in human modelling. nothing wrong with what you do and nothing wrong with what i do. We both support our families in what we do. The bottom line is stick to what you know that way you will meaning ful contributions everytime you open your mouth.

  39. A heartfelt congratulationz iz in order.You picked up from where your sister Nawale left, thank-you a 101 timez. How relieving for this beauty to have charmed bloggerz not to uze foul language for a change.

  40. model ususally dont marry. After you finish serving your tenure, please come back to earth and MARRY. we need more beautiful children like you.
    Just be careful, models dont usually marry successfully

  41. Hey ms/mr Slumdog shalaz.( commet on5 on the wkd in pics for 01/25/2010)
    has the question you asked been answered? if not the answer is………….. about not judging a book by it cover!!!!!!!!:d/

  42. Am wondering why on threads that bring us together as a nation such as this one sad SENIOR CITIZEN goes AWOL, he’s absence is so conspicuous that you wonder what really goes on in his cotton stuffed head. If this was political or topical he would have been copying and pasting like m.a.d.

  43. # 77 beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. there is no standard for beauty. as long as she is a child of God, she is Good looking since the likeliness is from the image of her creator who is good looking in every way

  44. It was Cherise makubale 1st big brother africa winner, then Lindiwe 1st Africa Sing Talent winner, now Lukundo. well the ladies are doing it in style not those in Friday Post and Daily mail pictures. These ladies when they go to compete, they had no Govt,. support nor big cooperating partners. when the girls win with little support thats when they all what to jump to celebrate and claim the honours. NyamaSoya should not expose her to his friends Jacob Zuma & King Mswati Plse. Congrats again to Lukundo and all the ladies that have brought honors. We tired of funding Chipolopolo which is firing empty catridges in all tournaments.

  45. I just like her dedication to school. I am so impressed with you girl, you will soon be managing your own big company. The fighting spirit can not go without a comment, it is so inspiring. Keep it up you are on the right track…. Beware of the Billionaire Play Boys, they are already stting baits on you. It’s hard growing up a girl child but if you stick to what is right, it will not be hard.

  46. Thankyou Lukundo for whitewashing those nine overconfident models especially that Ka Rozanna chick.My special thanx and congratulations to ANGELA MULENGA for the outstanding,eloquent designer dress which won Lukundo the crown,Alabane MULIBAKALI keep the ZAMBIAN FLAG flying high without FEAR OR FAVOUR,the sky is not the limit.

  47. Face of Real Africa…So Africans are not beautiful. Am told to qualify to this competition, one has to be ugly and terribly thin.

  48. Though iam not a big fun of modelling and catwalks whatever the difference i believe congratulations are in order.Just out of curiosity as zambians we seem to have majored in winning all the silly competitions on the continent like big brother,singing talent shows and now the modelling show.How much value do these kind oF competitions really bring to our country apart from putting bread and butter in the hands of the winners.Our country is petty i guess thats why we win small competitions.

  49. Congratulations Lukundo!! At least we have won something and not just small but huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugggggggggggggggggggggeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

  50. But you have said you have no interest in modelling and catwalks so thats enough to explain that everything in that area to you is junk, but I think it’s worthwhile to have her win $50,000.00 which she can invest n Zambia and also the money she will make as a celebrity, she can start a perfume company and call it Luks Fragrances LTD and employ as many Zambians as possible, how about that? Big congrats Lukundo!!!!! May God bless you!!

  51. Way to go girl!!! Atleast we have something to smile about. Not like in some activities where we always say we put up a good show but have nothing to show for it. Am not naming names(or is it sports)

  52. Well done Girl:)>- Zambia surely has talent and brains. You have represented our country in the world and you are an inspiration to all the young Zambians both at home and abroad. Well done and Goodluck. Betty – London

  53. 😡 I really love this, as stated before it is great that our Ladies are breaking ground for Zambia. Long have we as men been without a hero. Wehad it at one point but our sisters take it to the finals and actually win. If we also emulate this the sky has never been the limit; brothers great example comes from everyone, Esther as in the bible and our own boxer have also overcome the summit, then came Lukundo, God already blessed her let’s ask for her protection from vices, Jesus look after our lovely young lady.

  54. Congratulations Lukundo!!! that Zimbabwean chick was so full of herself. Who ever said black isn’t lovely?? You go girl, remember God first in everything you do. We are very proud of you. God bless you.

  55. You’ve made us proud girl. Looks like Zambia has lot’s of talent, Cherise, Lindiwe, the national soccer team (despite ealry departure at Africa cup), Cynthia, and you my girl. Congratulations!!!!!

  56. congats Zambia. However, I noticed an error with one of the dates. oluchi won in 1998 not 1988. I know its a typogaphical error but I just though i should correct it. Cheers!

  57. congrats Zambia. However, I noticed an error with one of the dates. oluchi won in 1998 not 1988. I know its a typogaphical error but I just thought i should correct it. Cheers!

  58. Njavwa

    great my sister for representing northern power to the Zambia Pipo and the country to the world atlarge. Zambians shud also know that Northern Province have capable pipo who can do wonders. Please dont mistake her with westners she’s not awakumwitu .

Comments are closed.

Read more

Local News

Discover more from Lusaka Times-Zambia's Leading Online News Site - LusakaTimes.com

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading