Out of the 94 women vying for the Miss Universe 2018 crown, nine are representing countries from the African continent excluding the Caribbean countries. Here is the list:
- Ana Liliana Aviao (Angola)
- Nariman Khaled (Egypt)
- Diata Hoggar (Ghana)
- Wabaiya Kariuki (Kenya)
- Vasha Ragoobarsing (Mauritius)
- Selma Kamanya (Namibia)
- Aramide Lopez (Nigeria)
- Tamaryn Green (South Africa)
- Melba Shakabozha (Zambia)
Reigning Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters is from South Africa. If Green becomes her successor, it will be the second back-to-back win in the history of Miss Universe. The only time one country won the crown consecutively was in 2008 and 2009 when Dayanara Mendoza and Stefania Fernandez, both from Venezuela, were crowned.
I do not see South Africa repeating the history Venezuela made in Miss Universe in this edition. However, I see Green making it to the Top 5.
There is also a high possibility that Green will become runner-up to the Miss Universe 2018 winner. But if she wins the crown, she will be the third winner from South Africa.
In 1978, Margaret Gardiner became the first Miss Universe from South Africa. She was crowned by Miss Universe 1977 Janelle Commissiong of Trinidad and Tobago.
Other strong contestants from Africa are Aviao, Kariuki and Kamanya. I predict that at least one of them will make it to the Top 20.
Currently, Namibia has one Miss Universe. Michelle McLean won the first crown for the country in 1992.
Angola has one Miss Universe, as well. Leila Lopes won the crown for the country in 2011.
Kenya has yet to win in the beauty pageant. Representing the country, Mary Esther Were made it to the Top 6 in Miss Universe 2016.
Hoggar is looking forward to reach what Ruth Quashie did. Representing Ghana, the latter made it to the Top 16 in Miss World 2017.
Miss Universe started in 1952 with Armi Kuusela of Finland as the inaugural winner. Currently, the United States is the country with the most wins in the beauty pageant with eight crowns followed by Venezuela and Puerto Rico with seven and five crowns, respectively.
On December 17, 2018, Nel-Peters will crown her successor at Impact, Muang Thong Thani in Bangkok, Thailand. Meanwhile, check how the African beauties represented their respective countries in the Miss Universe 2018 national costume show here:
CONAN Daily 