THE MISS South Africa pageant has produced many intelligent and beautiful ambassadors for the country. Now 12 former title holders will be mentoring this year’s finalists vying for the crown at Sun City on March 29.
The finalists met their mentors at a function in Joburg recently.
The former Miss South Africa winners who will offer advice and share their experiences are: Wilma van der Bijl (1987); Bernelee Daniell (1995); Peggy-Sue Khumalo (1996); Sonia Raciti (1998); Jo-Ann Strauss (2000); Vanessa Carreira (2001); Cindy Nell (2002); Joan Ramagoshi (2003); Nokuthula “Thuli” Sithole (2005); Tatum Keshwar (2008); Nicole Flint (2009) and Bokang Montjane (2010).
This year’s finalists are Busi Mahlangu (mentor Sithole); Chanelle Sardinha (Flint); Danelle de Wet (Daniell); Gugulethu Banda (Montjane); Kim Wentzel (Nell); Liesl Laurie (Keshwar); Nicole Lamberts (Strauss); Ntsiki Mkhize (Khumalo); Refilwe Mthimunye (Carreira); Shanè Naidoo (Raciti); Sihle Makhanya (Van der Bijl) and Taryn Morris (Ramagoshi).
Carreira said: “I would have been very grateful for industry know-how and sound advice when I was crowned Miss South Africa 14 years ago.
“This year’s finalists will certainly benefit from the one-on-one interaction… ”
Ramagoshi’s advice is: “Stay true to who you are and what you believe in, be fearless, pursue your passion and live your life with integrity and honesty. Ensure you use the platform you have been given to transform many lives. In the words of life coach Paul Bryant: ‘Show class, have pride and display character. If you do, winning takes care of itself’.”
In 2013/2014 Sun International, long-time licence holders of the annual competition, repositioned the Miss South Africa pageant and Cell C came on board as the headline sponsor. It paid huge dividends with Rolene Strauss being crowned Miss South Africa 2014 and then going on to take the Miss World title last December. Her Miss South Africa crown was taken over by Ziphozakhe Zokufa who recently represented the country at the Miss Universe pageant.
Staff Reporter