In pictures: The modern-day beauty contest

Sun City, South Africa, is hosting the finals of "Face of Africa" - a modelling competition.

The 10 finalists have been whittled down from 2,500 hopefuls as talent scouts trawled the continent - from sprawling city to simple village. The winner will get a three-year modelling contract.

Miriam from Zambia had never worn make-up or thought about her diet before she entered the contest.

"I was just a simple girl," she says. "It has really changed me."