NOBODY had given her a chance, she was not even one of the top girls in the semi-finals, but Namibia’s 18-year-old Vanentia Otto beat all the odds and won the 2006 Nokia face of Africa crown last evening. And the dance began.

All the other nine finalists gathered around her and danced with her, as tears flowed down her face.

“We are very proud of Vanentia and the other nine finalists,” Multichoice’s Lindiwe Magida said.

“They performed spectacularly tonight through their style and grace.” Uganda’s Muniirah Namakula did not feature among the top five, neither did Kenya’s Andenyi Anjalo, who performed best at the Nokia Cape Town fashion Week.

The top three were Vanentia, Ghana’s Davis Mirash, another high performer in Cape Town, and Zambia’s Mulenga Mubanga, another surprise of the night. While Vanentia showed little emotion, Mirash could not hold back tears of disappointment as the rest danced around the girl, who beat them to win a modelling contract worth over sh200m.

Other girls in the race were Catherine Yankey, Kea Basima, Sandra Bigirimana, Ishioma Onyebo and Melody Zulu.

For being in the finals, Namakula will get a designer watch from Everlast, makeup and beauty products from Loreal, hair care products from Carlton, three pairs of designer shoes from Europa Art, designer wear from Magents and Sun Goddess and $1,000.

PIC: WINNER: Vanentia Otto from Namibia claimed her prize last evening. Left, the ten finalists, (back row) Catherine (Ghana), Sandra (Burundi), Vanentia (Namibia), Muniirah (Uganda) and Melody (South Africa). Front is Mulenga (Zambia), Kea (Botswana), Mirash (Ghana) and Ishioma Onyebo (Nigeria)