Accra, Ghana – The grand finale of the Africa Monologue Challenge, a highly anticipated event showcasing the immense talent and cultural richness of the African continent, took place on Saturday, May 27th, at the prestigious National Theatre of Ghana. The event drew an eclectic audience of Pan-Africans, African High Commissions in Ghana, diplomats, entertainment and theatre enthusiasts, as well as patrons of Pan-Africanism.
Representing Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania, Cameroon, and the United Kingdom, eleven finalists battled it out for the coveted title of the Africa Monologue Challenge champion. Sponsored by their respective governments, these talented individuals captivated the audience with a series of one-minute monologues, which centred around promoting investment and tourism in their countries, envisioning a borderless Africa, and showcasing the vibrant music from their homelands.
To add a collaborative twist to the evening, the finalists united to enthral the audience with an adaptation of Dr Ben Abdalla’s renowned play, “The Slaves.” The seamless coordination and powerful performances left a lasting impression on all in attendance.
In delivering the special address, H. E Ambassador Dr Erieka Bennet, founder of the Diaspora Ambassadors Forum; the sixth Region of Africa, was full of praise for the organizers of the Africa Monologue Challenge. She commended them for putting together such a masterpiece for Africa and encouraged them to ensure the Challenge is carried across the length and breadth of the world.
“My group is the historical diaspora, those that were taken from slavery, we don’t know where we were taken from, we don’t know which country we are from, we just know we are Africans. And to tell the story, the way they told the story needs to be told all over the world, particularly in Africa. At our Embassy, which is the first Embassy of this kind in the world, we are endorsed by the African Union, we are accredited to Ghana, and I am the first diplomatic ambassador carrying three diplomatic passports, so I’m saying, look where we came from. I am a little girl, seventy-three years now from South Carolina, and the challenges we have had to go through is amazing. So, I am not going to talk long, but I want you to get that story and I want you to tell this story to everyone who will listen; how we got here, how we were taken, and who gave us to them. However, we don’t want to spend a lot of time on what happened, we want to spend the time on how we move forward; we move forward by everyone in this room committing to what you can do to unite Africa”, she stated.
With the event streamed live, over thirty thousand viewers from across Africa tuned in to witness this historic celebration of African talent and creativity. At the culmination of intense competition, Rachael Nduhukire from Uganda emerged as the overall winner, gaining popular online votes from the public and impressing the judges with her remarkable performance. Nduhukire’s exceptional talent and ability to connect with the audience earned her overwhelming points from the panel of judges.
As the newly crowned champion, Rachael Nduhukire was awarded a grand prize that included one thousand dollars, a plaque, a certificate, the lead character role in a Pan-African film to be produced in Uganda, and professional headshots. Jeromy Mumba from Zambia secured the first runner-up position, earning three hundred dollars, while Refilwe Maitisa became the second runner-up, taking home one hundred dollars. Kenya’s young award-winning actress and TV host, Stycie Waweru took home the young talent award for her impressive show of confidence and talent. All eleven finalists will also be part of a Pan-African film to be produced in Uganda.
The event was impeccably hosted by Clemento Suarez and Sitsofe Tsikor, who skillfully guided the audience through the night’s proceedings. The distinguished panel of judges comprised York-Fabian Raabe, a renowned filmmaker from Germany, Phil Efe Benard, a celebrated filmmaker from Nigeria, and Mawuko Kuadzi, the esteemed CEO of MK Casting.
Notably, Dr Ofori Sarpong of Special Ice and Dr Mohammed Ben Abdalla received the prestigious Star of Africa awards in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the continent. Their unwavering commitment and dedication to Africa’s growth and development garnered admiration from all in attendance.
Expressing his gratitude to the event’s supporters, Mr Mawuko Kuadzi, CEO of MK Casting and lead organizer of the Africa Monologue Challenge, promised an even more impressive and grander edition for the future. He revealed that since Rachael has won the competition, the next edition of the Africa Monologue Challenge is going to take place in Uganda. “I want to thank our partners, the African Chamber of Content Producers and the National Film Authority, I also want to thank all our sponsors, Special Ice, Ghana Tourism Authority, Africa Business Bureau, and all supporters of this event.
The resounding success of the Africa Monologue Challenge’s final event is a testament to the immense talent and cultural richness found within the African continent. With each passing year, this remarkable competition will continue to captivate audiences, celebrate diversity, and showcase Africa’s vibrant arts and entertainment industry”, he said.
Mr Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, Executive Director of the African Chamber of Content Producers; the Pan-African partners of the Africa Monologue Challenge, revealed that the Africa Monologue Challenge would be an enduring platform for transforming the narrative of Africa. He emphasized the event’s significance in reshaping Africa’s image and underscored its role as part of the Africa Image Project, an initiative of the African Chamber of Content Producers dedicated to rebranding the image of Africa.
In a pre-finale engagement, the finalists spent approximately two weeks in Ghana, engaging in media discourse, forging connections with fellow contestants, attending courtesy calls, and participating in the Africa Image Conference. This immersive experience allowed the finalists to delve deeper into the cultural fabric of Africa and foster greater solidarity among themselves.
As the Africa Monologue Challenge concluded on a high note, it left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those who witnessed this remarkable showcase of African Unity in diversity.
