After a rigorous process to compete for their place in the modelling industry, 16-year-olds; Ghanaian Zarad Afia Tashana and Burundian Cubahiro Jordy Jeff emerged winners at the 12th edition of the annual modelling competition, Aquafina Model Look.

The winners, Zarad Afia Tashana and Cubahiro Jordy Jeff

The competition which was once limited to Nigerians is now opened to the rest of South Africa and for the first time in the history of the competition, the winners are from other parts of Africa.

Out of over 1000 contestants from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Senegal, Ghana, Congo, Rwanda, Kenya and Nigeria; 11 boys and 15 girls made the cut into the final night before the winners were called out.

The beautiful night which took place at the Eko Hotel and Suites had the biggest players in the modelling and fashion industry in one room full of glamour as the brand marked 12 years of consistency, life-changing impact and making dreams come true.

The winners, Zarad Afia Tashana and Cubahiro Jordy Jeff will go on to compete at the world finals at the Elite Model Look World in Europe. Some few notable models that have been produced from the Elite Model Look include Mayowa Nicholas, Davidson Obennebo, Fei Fei Sun, Ruth Bell, Vittoria Ceretti, Greta Varlese, Benjamin Benedek, Victor Ndigwe, among many others.

The night sponsored by Aquafina and Moët and Chandon also featured music performances, fashion showcase and the final competition. EMLEWA 2019 enlisted top-notch individuals as judges including the founder of Jewel by Lisa, Lisa Folawiyo; Head scout of Elite Model Management, Sandy Lowe; Stylist, Tosin Ogundadegbe; Founder/CEO of Glam Networks, Bola Balogun; Photographer, Kelechi Amadi Obi and Founder, Lagos Fashion Week, Omoyemi Akerele.