Biography: Mona Lewis

Mona Lewis is one of the candidates in series five of The Apprentice which starts on 25th March. 

She has a very colourful international backround. She is a Tanzanian national (from Arusha, Tanzania), but was born in Karachi, Pakistan and now lives in Sittingbourne, Kent. A divorcee, and former Tanzanian beauty queen, she is a single mother to her son. Her highest qualifications are A levels and she worked for the Nat West Bank in Sittingbourne High Street as a senior financial manager.  The 28 year old candidate told the BBC, "I knew I would be selected, not to sound big-headed... I've succeeded in the companies I've worked for because I work hard and I'm honest."" 

Her former colleagues from the Nat West in Sittingbourne are complimentary towards her. According to Kent Online, one of her former colleagues said “She was lots of fun, had a lovely personality. I’m not surprised she’s gone in for it, and won’t be surprised if she walked away with the job.”.

Some amusing things have already emerged about her in the press: The Mirror reports that she had no idea what a "loss leader" was - "Is it someone who leads something to a loss?" she said. !!! Though to be fair the misunderstanding might be down to the fact that English is not her first language. The Mirror also report that she was runner-up in 1996 in the Miss Tanzania contest - click here for the pictures.

Regardless of whether she succeeds in the Apprentice, she should have a great career ahead of her because of her good looks and exposure via The Apprentice, on TV. She is the team leader for the women in the first episode, and already reports are that the "claws were out" and that she was very entertaining to watch. .

Update: episode one. Mona was team leader and survived the task (despite her side losing) to fight another day.  I thought she had potential - she certainly had an eye for potential business and could sell. Her weakness was understanding that profit depends on controlling costs not just on making sales. And she wasn't as fierce as others in the boardroom. But I liked her and hope she goes far.

Update 21st April 2009. The papers have been reporting that Mona Lewis made homophobic comments to fellow contestant Howard Ebison (who is gay) telling him "I wouldn't want my 6 year old son to meet a gay man". The comment came in a forthcoming episode where Howard suggested they turn Margate into a gay resort.

Update 6th May 2009/ Mona was team leader again in episode seven, and her team won. Significantly she herself did outstandingly well in selling (something Sir Alan attaches great importance to). Her chances of winning were enhanced by this performance.

Update 13th May 2009. Mona was fired for not being "creative" even though the team she was in lost due to Debra Barr's inability to manage time. She was totally robbed. One of my favourite candidates has gone. I hope she has a future in television, because she is extraordinarily  pretty (especially when dolled up for her appearance on the follow-up show on BBC 2)

Update 14th May 2009 In TV interviews after she got fired, Mona said she was rather relieved as she didn't think she'd be able to take the job with Sir Alan even if she had won, due to being unwilling to uproot her son to move to London.