Cape Town - It’s been about 40 years, but once again South Africa can lay claim to being home to the fairest of them all.
Miss South Africa Rolene Strauss has been crowned Miss World, becoming the first Miss South Africa to take this prestigious title since Anneline Kriel’s reign in 1974.
An ecstatic Strauss beat 124 contestants from around the globe at the pageant in London on Sunday night. Her runners-up were Miss Hungary Edina Kulcsar and Miss United States Elizabeth Safrit.
The fourth-year Volksrust medical student was also the bookmakers’ favourite to win the title – and she didn’t disappoint.
In her acceptance speech, Strauss said she was proud and humbled to have won and that her dreams had become reality: “My country is my pride and my purpose has and will always lie within it.”
When Strauss won the Miss South Africa title in March, she said in her acceptance speech that she had goosebumps just thinking about the title.
“In my country we are all here from different backgrounds and cultures but we have one thing in common – we are South Africans. I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am to represent such a diverse nation.”
Strauss is known for her drive, what she brought to the title and how she has represented South Africa not only nationally, but also internationally.
“Not only has the Miss South Africa title taken me places, but I have also learnt from the women who walked this path before me. Together with my visions and dreams, I can catapult the meaning and relevance of the Miss World title to an even higher level.”
Throughout her reign, Strauss has emphasised her passion for health and fitness. “It’s all about living, loving and giving.”
She has emphasised the importance of women’s health and its empowering effect on our everyday lives.
“We are capable of so much more when we are healthy; physically, mentally and emotionally.
“As I stand before you my dream is now a reality, my journey now at its beginning.
“I am part of something bigger, part of a beautiful picture painted with different colours, cultures, backgrounds and dreams. We are all part of the painting.”
Using the hashtag #MissWorld2014, Twitter paid homage to the the Miss World 2014 beauty queen.
@NicciBuirski posted: “Of course Miss SA is Miss World 2014… We do indeed have the world’s most beautiful, elegant and intelligent women.
@RMoerat: “You just amplified my being proud to be South African.”
@zubeidajaffer: “Congratulations Rolene Strauss – Miss South Africa. UFS medical student.”
@SelineVW: “Yeah for @RoleneStrauss for winning #MissWorld2014 – beautiful and crazy intelligent. #ProudlySA.”
@Kelitaria: “Huge congrats to @RoleneStrauss. Another beautiful #southafrican woman takes the crown at #MissWorld2014.”
@michvz1991: “I’ve been negative towards SA these last couple of days/weeks… but along came the beautiful @RoleneStrauss #MissWorld2014 #PROUD.”
@TeamSamantha_SA: “Yipppeeee SA Stand Up!!!! This one is for the whole of Africa. Congratulations Roelene Strauss.”
@UlrichJvV: “Congratulations @RoleneStrauss crowned #MissWorld2014! You have made all South Africa so proud! Now go own the World!”
@Kmotso_M: “Not long ago I was at Sun City and witnessed her being crowned and today she is MissWorld2014 at only 22 whooo.”
@Ashwinwillemse: “What a proud moment for all #SouthAfrica. Congratulations @RoleneStrauss on being crowned #MissWorld2014.”
Cape Argus