The third annual Miss Africa International pageant is a cultural showcase of African beauty and talent; providing a medium for high-achieving delegates to advocate issues relevant to Africa, promote their various cultures and showcase their artistic and intellectual aptitudes.

The third annual Miss Africa International pageant will be ushered in on its eve, October 28, at an elegant, invitation-only reception at the embassy of Zimbabwe. After the pageant on Saturday, H2O Restaurant and Lounge, the Official Entertainment Sponsor, will entertain guests at an official after-party, a lavish affair hosted by hip hop rap artist Common with a special performance by Senegalese-born R & B star, Akon.

Mokoli Productions, Inc. will hold its third annual Miss Africa International pageant on Saturday, October 29, 2005 at prestigious Warner Theatre, located at 13th Street in Washington, D.C. Featuring the most stunning African women from around the world, the pageant promises record-breaking telecasts around the world! Dazzling beauties from twenty five African countries will compete for the prestigious title.

The pageant, directed by world-renown stage director, Gerald Scott, will include a surprise guest comedian and representatives from the African entertainment industry as well as local talent from New York and Hollywood. The guest list reads like a Who's Who of Washington's social circles, humanitarian agencies and the entertainment industry. Confirmed guests include actor Rockmond Dunbar, members of the African Diplomatic Corps, The Corporate Council on Africa, the Congressional Black Caucus and the National Congress of Black Women. Nigeria’s most popular actor, Jim Iyke, will host the event. Sponsors include Mokoli Productions, Inc., H2O Restaurant & Lounge (Official Entertainment Sponsor), The Africa Channel, Pangroup Inc, Nextday Site, Tres Jolie, M & M Nails, Emani Beauty Supply and a few off-shore companies like Destinos in Mozambique.

With humanitarian and intellectual components that set it apart from other African pageants, this trailblazing event provides a medium for delegates to inspire a renewed global interest in Africa. After the pageant, delegates work with internationally recognized charity organizations by contributing to issues of importance to Africa. This year's pageant will benefit Africare’s program for hunger victims in Niger.

With the theme "AFRICA IS BEAUTIFUL," the pageant counters negative images portrayed by the media. Each contestant has a unique story. One contestant bounced back from war to pursue a career of singing, dancing and acting. Another organized a benefit featuring the beauty queens of Africa. Yet another comes from a country with an eight-hundred year old kingdom boasting the world’s richest supply of platinum. All in the nation's capitol!

Visit their site for more info - http://www.missafricainternational.com