Following the successful voting of Chukuru as Team South Africa's mascot for the 2012 Olympics and Paralymic Games and beyond, South Africans have now been invited to help choose the official kit that our sporting representatives will proudly wear at the Opening Ceremony for this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.
The work of six designers have been chosen by the South Africa's Olympic governing body SASCOC from tenders submitted by 20 designers. The criteria was that the outfits must be proudly South African, for males and females (two separate garments if required), as well as being comfortable.
Among the judging panel were Miss South Africa Melinda Bam, retired soccer ace and Team South Africa Ambassador, Lucas Radebe, former athlete and also a Team SA ambassador Geraldine Pillay, television personalities Robert Marawa and Carol Tshabalala as well as fashion expert Grant Blackbeard. Also having their input from the current crop of sports stars were 2008 Olympian and 2012 Olympic Games qualifier Rene Kalmer (marathon) and wheelchair tennis player Lucas Sithole.
The following six outfit proposals were chosen from those submitted: Colleen Eitzen, Craig Native, Gert Johan, Gina@Work, JJ Schoeman and Leigh Schubert.
Each and every South African is now invited to have their say in what outfit should be worn at the opening ceremonies in London.
Votes can be sent through the medium of SMS lines until May 18 2012 and the winning design will be then be announced on May 21 at the Paralympic Games 100-day countdown in Cape Town.
The opening ceremony of the Olympics and Paralympics are spectacular occasions, watched by billions of people around the globe and South Africa will be hoping to wow the world with their Proudly South Africa fashion statement.