Following on from yesterday’s story about Anawana Haloba nominated for an important art award in Norway here’s a story from The Post about more nominations for Zambia.

Reigning Miss Zambia UK, Andella Chileshe Matthews (above) has been nominated ‘best beauty queen’ in the Black Entertainment, Fashion, Film & Television Awards (BEFFTAs) to be held at London’s Hilton Metropole on October 17. According to a statement by Justina Mutale, chief executive officer of Perryfield Promotions, the organisers of Miss Zambia UK Beauty Pageant, the BEFFTA Awards is an international prestigious ceremony committed to recognising the all-around accomplishments of black stars.

Andella, who recently represented Zambia at Miss Universe 2009 in the Bahamas, joins other celebrity nominees such as supermodel Naomi Campbell, film star Noel Clarke, award-winning Jazz musician Yolanda Brown, and X-Factor sensations Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke. Others are Miss England Rachel Christie, celebrity photographer, Bukola Garace, top international models, Ibukun Jegede and Jasmina Robinson, and fashion designers Gavin Pierre Medford and Yemi Osunkoya of the world renowned Kosibah Creations.

Mutale stated that former Miss Zambia UK Rosemary Chileshe has also been nominated as ‘best former beauty queen’ while the Miss Zambia UK Beauty Pageant has been nominated ‘best beauty pageant’ and Perryfield Promotions has been nominated “best event promoter”. “I am very proud of Andella and Rosemary on their achievements and BEFFTA nominations. To have four BEFFTA nominations in our camp is a great achievement for us at Miss Zambia UK.

“We would be dedicating the BEFFTA Award to all the contestants who have ever participated in the Miss Zambia UK Beauty Pageant. By participating, they have each in their own unique way played a key role in making Miss Zambia UK one of the best pageants in the world,” Mutale stated.

Black stars to be honoured with the BEFFTA Awards will include musicians, dancers, choreographers, comedians, radio personalities, television personalities, film, actors, actresses, models, beauty queens, DJs, event promoters, fashion designers, hair stylists, make-up artists, photographers, spoken word artists, beauty pageants, community newspapers and magazines.

The BEFFTA Awards ceremony will be filmed for television broadcasting for both UK and international audience. The ceremony will be hosted by UK’s top comedian and Choice FM radio presenter, and TV personality Richard Blackwood.