Exclusive Interview
Gambian born Aja Daffeh First winner of The Face of African Queen Finland.
Please make yourself known to our readers?
My first name is Aja and my surname is Daffeh. I was named Aja after my grandmother who passed away a few months before my birth. For those who don’t know, as a Muslim when you travel to Mecca the name Aja is added to your name. I’m 27 years old, from The Gambia. I was born in Serekunda, the largest urban centre in The Gambia. I’m from the Mandinka tribe, we speak Mandinka. My hobbies are singing and dancing.
When did you come to Finland?
This is a good question. I came to Finland in the year 2000, so I have been here for about 20 years. We were 7kkkuhi that came with our dad, my mother was left behind with my little sister because of some paper issues but she later came in 2006 after my little sister had passed away.
You always talk about your mum, what about your dad?
You are right, I always talk about my mum because she’s very close to me and she’s much concerned about me. My dad is still here, he has lived here for almost 40 years. He is a very busy man. He has a cleaning company that takes most of his time. He leaves home at 6:am and comes back at 10: pm every day. Any Gambian who arrives in Finland, who needs a job in other to survive comes to him and he gives the person a job. Many Gambians got their papers through him and also integrated into society through his assistance. One thing that he told me that made me feel happy was that he is proud of me and that he is fully in support of me joining the beauty competition.
What were the challenges you encountered during the Face of African Queen journey?
The biggest of them all was the ability to concentrate, taking my mind off things that don’t matter. That was the hardest challenge I would say because during the competition there were a lot of things that came up that could have distracted me. The expectation was high, the pressure was intense, and knowing that you are into the competition because of others who are supporting you makes the journey tougher. Almost at the end of the journey, about three weeks to our finals I wanted to throw in the towel but I remembered what I have put into the competition and what I’m aiming at then my strength came back.
What was your relationship with the other girls in the competition?
Photo credit: Bakanal & Samrestrepo
I was surrounded by strong black, women and we all did something great and unique. Nevertheless, during the competition, we always have a cat-fight among ourselves. It’s the nature of women. There were times we had drama. Right now, I haven’t talked to some of the ladies probably because we have our daily commitments to fulfil.
What does winning the Face of African Queen beauty pageant mean to you?
It’s the most amazing thing that has happened to me. Putting on this beautiful crown, it matches up with the sweat, tears, time, and hard work that I had during the competition. The good thing is that im putting on the heaviness of the crown differently, in a positive way. Every time I see the crown, it reminds me of what I have done.
We saw you shedding tears on stage after you were announced the winner and your mum was emotional too? How did you feel?
Many people have asked me this same question and my response was that “I didn’t even know that I won” I was hugging one of the last three contestants thinking that she won and one of them told me ”congratulations” you won that was when I realized that I’m the winner and immediately I couldn’t handle it. My body changed and I became emotional with tears all over my eyes. The first person I had to set my eyes on was my mum, during that time they had to put the crown on my head first and when I looked around, my mum was already on the stage. She cried so much while hugging me, her voice was shaking. I have never seen my mum in that condition. She was moved to tears in a way that she couldn’t even speak our language. In all, it was a moment I will live to remember.
Your mum has always been concerned about you. Winning the beauty pageant, has it in any way brought joy to her?
Yes, of course, winning the beauty pageant has brought joy to her. Many don’t know this, two years ago, my friend passed away. Her demise got me devastated. I was in the worst situation ever. As a person, I felt that I wasn’t alive because of how close we were. So my mum got worried because I was in a state of depression. When she saw the joy in me during the competition, it relieved her a bit. She always wants to see me in a joyful mood. Whenever we are having a dance rehearsal, when I call her, you could see the joy in her. She once told me that two years ago, it almost feels like she’s losing me and two years later I’m back at my feet. I love my mum so much. She means everything to me. The joy in her is coming back to me.
As soon as you were crowned the winner of the Face of African Queen, a beautiful song by Vivianne Ndour was played for you. Is she your favourite artist?
I chose the song because it’s my mum’s favourite. When I was in the Gambia I used to dance to another country’s song. She said at some point, whenever she plays this kind of song it gets my attention that was why the song was played to take her back to memory lane.
Winning a beauty pageant comes with a responsibility, are you ready for it?
I am fully ready for it. I knew already during the casting at SKOHAN. It’s unfair for anyone who knows that she is not ready for what a beauty pageant entails and still go to the casting and probably gets picked thereby preventing others who wanted to be there. Before the casting, I had two days to think over it, and my thoughts were “will you be able to handle the stress” will you be able to work for the people who cannot do this” will you be able to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves. These were my thoughts and they are my strength. So I can handle it.
What do you have to say about the founders of the Face of African Queen Finland?
First of all, do you guys even realize what you have done? The history that you have made? For you guys to bring this kind of competition to Finland is worth commending. Finland is a small country where most things you see in other countries like the US or the UK is elusive here. You guys have accomplished something that many people can only dream about. You guys did a great job. I’m proud of you both. The competition must have cost you guys your time, energy, resources, sleep, etc. We the contestants have been on your nerves most times but it still didn’t deter you guys from bringing out your best. Obi, you are a strong man. You are working on your magazine production and at the same time running the competition. As for Kelly, she’s a jewel, a strong lady whom many young ladies are looking up to her as a role model. Kelly helped the girls to be mentally strong during the trying time of the competition. During the fitness day, when some of us were already losing focus, she talked to each of us and encouraged us. I believe that was the beginning of a dramatic turnaround.
The Application form for the 2021 Face of African Queen beauty competition will be out soon, what do you have to tell gorgeous ladies out there?
Photo credit: Bakanal & Samrestrepo
Firstly, I want to say if something must come into your mind. Even for one second, your instincts tell you to go for the casting just listen to your instincts and do it because your biggest enemy can even be yourself. The competition is not about who wins and who didn’t win. We want to be able to hear everybody’s story and learn from it. We know what black people go through in Finland and other places. Even if you don’t win, at least you will get to share your story
You are now a celebrity after making headlines in the Finnish media and those from other countries? What’s your take on that?
I’m so happy about that. I remember during the competition, not only my face but the faces of all the 9 contestants were featured on Iltalehti, Yle, etc that alone is historic. To have my name and photo appear there is a great thing that has happened to me. My friend called my mum and told her that her daughter is in Iltalehti and my mum hurriedly went to the shop to buy a copy and she flipped through the pages but she did not see my face. She didn’t know that it was on the digital news (social media). That day, she was just posting it to all her friends on WhatsApp. I’m grateful for that. I heard Estonia media also made a publication about me. An Angola TV channel also interviewed, this is huge for me. I have never thought that I can ever find my name on any news.
The Gambians back home heard about you and a lot of reactions have emanated from that. Please share it with us?
A lot of people have been calling my mum asking her when I will visit The Gambia. I have been scheduled for an interview with the head of the police at the presidency. I have the Malta trip to embark on first then I can travel to The Gambia. My people are waiting for me to come back so that they can see the person who made them proud, who raised the flag of our small country. One of the biggest social media pages in the Gambia also posted my story. You know it’s hard to find Gambian ladies in beauty competitions because the Gambia is a Muslim country. I didn’t let those things stop me.
What if at the end you are scheduled to meet with the president of the Gambia, what would you do?
Ah, I think I will faint because to get to meet with the president is not easy and he is the only person every good and well-meaning Gambian would love to meet so that they could tell him what needs to be done for the Gambia to move forward.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I want to be able to look at the list of everything that I want to achieve and then I say yes I have achieved this and that. I want to open my own business, make money that will also be used in helping the poor and vulnerable in my country. There are a lot of poor people out there who need help, such people should not be neglected.
What are your expectations when your trip to Malta is finalized?
I have said this before, I haven’t travelled out of Finland since 2005, so this will be my first time leaving Finland after 15 years. So it means a lot to me. Seeing myself heading to Malta, expectations will be high. I’m so happy about that. My holiday will be pleasurable.
Getting to the last 5 of the competition was made possible because of the votes you got. What do you have to tell your fans for helping you win the competition?
I want to say a big thank you to my fans and everyone who took out their time to go to the voting link and voted for me. You guys made me who I am. You guys are one of the reasons this crown is on my head. I will always be grateful. I love you all
