Ghanaian wins 2008 Face of Africa

Discovered in Accra during a casting in the city earlier in the year, her progress in the current season of M-Net's Face of Africa was deemed a constant inspiration to viewers, who discovered earlier in the month that although Kate had auditioned for the search in 2006, she hadn't qualified at the time because she needed to hone her talent and work on developing her physique.

The SuperBowl audience welcomed her success with thunderous applause as she was named the seventh M-Net Face of Africa.

The hour and a half show, featuring performances from Idols winner Eric Moyo, along with Nigeria's Naeto C and Ikechukwu plus Afro-funk performers House of Holy Afro, was screened live on DStv to over 40 countries across the continent. Also striding down the catwalk were fellow finalists Alli (Nigeria), Hamamat (Ghana), Hiwot (Ethiopia), Maria (Namibia), Noxi (Zambia), Joana (Angola), Lucy (Uganda), Sasa (South Africa) and Sola (Nigeria).

Featuring the fashions of Tanzania's Mustafa Hassanali, South Africa's Thula Sindi and Nigeria's Lisa Folawiyo plus two magazine collections from South Africa's Cosmopolitan magazine and True Love East Africa, the finale was a showcase of African talent, style and creative energy.

The runway took on a contemporary look as a giant replica of the face of 2005 winner, Botswana's Kaone Kario, complete with bold black eye make-up and an ever-changing neon lit Afro, was made the focal point for the entrance and exit of the Top 10 finalists.

Namibia's Venantia Otto, the Face of Africa 2006 made her way onto the catwalk to make the announcement of the Top 5 finalists soon followed by the very first Face of Africa turned global model icon and businesswoman Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandi who revealed the M-Net Face of Africa 2008. Menson was awarded with a modeling contract valued at USD50,000 with Onweagba-Orlandi's agency, O Model Africa.

Commenting on the finale, M-Net channel director for Africa, Biola Adekanbi said, "We wish all of the Top 10 finalists well as they go forward and thank them for the courage, and their strength in taking on this challenge and meeting it with such grace and charm. Further we wish Kate much success as she enters a new chapter in a life, one we are confident she will embrace with enthusiasm and passion. Finally, M-Net will continue to promote African talent and ingenuity, in keeping with our belief that Africa and Africans should be celebrated."