Seychellois women are being urged to participate in this year's edition of MaAkfrika, which will be held in Benoni, South Africa in October 2003.

This appeal was made by Mrs Doyace Porice, the vice-president of the International MaAfrika Club, who is also the chairperson of the local MaAfrika Club, while officially launching the MaAfrika 2003 competition, in a small ceremony at the English River Community Centre, on Friday March 28.

Present at the ceremony were Mrs Rose-Mary Elizabeth, the executive director of the Alliance of Solidarity For the Family (ASFF), the district administrators from various districts and members of the local MaAfrika Club.

Mrs Porice highlighted the role and importance of MaAfrika and how it had benefited the four Seychellois women who have participated in the competition since 1999.

She said that the local club is ready to mobilise and encourage Seychellois women to show their abilities on both local and international scenes.

Mrs Porice said that she was proud to be elected as vice president of the International MaAfrika Club and that her election showed the strength of the Seychellois women.

Following the opening ceremony, those present were able to visit an exhibition depicting  the various participation of the Seychellois women in the previous MaAfrika competition.

This year's theme will again be "food security, health security, energy and tourism development," and participants will have to display at least one component of that theme in their presentation.

The overall winner in the local competition will be the one to represent Seychelles at MaAfrika 2003 in South Africa in October.

Registration forms will be available at the different district administration offices.

For further information interested participants can contact Mrs Porice on 225477.

Mrs Porice also had words of thanks for all the local sponsors, the media, the Seychelles Ambassador to South Africa, Mr Peter Sinon, and the Ministry of Local Government Sports and Culture for their support. She also made special mention to the Mrs Elizabeth of ASFF, who was presented with a small token of appreciation.

Ms Andrine Denis, a local farmer from Praslin was Seychelles' contender in MaAfrika 2002, a competition, held every year in Benoni, South Africa, to honour  the most remarkable women in Africa for their effort in the betterment of the lives of all the people of this continent.

The culture-cum-art competition which took place from February 27 to March 8, had for theme "food security, health security, energy and tourism development."

She made a presentation which was in the form of a video clip showcasing her in her During the competition, the Seychellois delegation also entertained the audience through  traditional dance and music performances.

Though Mrs Denis did not receive any special award, she was presented with a certificate for her participation in the competition.

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