Alex’s beauty pride and glory ends
ALEXANDRA – Alex beauties let Boipelo's crown in Miss SA slip away.
Alex’s one year of glory is coming to an end in May when the reign of its daughter Boitumelo Mabe, as second and later first runner-up in the 2017 Miss SA beauty pageant will hand over the mantle to a successor.
Her reign with Ade van Heerden as initial first runner-up to queen Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters all changed when Nel-Peters won the Miss Universe crown, resulting in the elevation of her runners-up.
Read: Mabe’s charm pays off
Mabe, a graduate now studying for her master’s degree, dedicated her reign to encouraging children to empower themselves through education which, she said, was the only means to exit negativity, poverty and other bad circumstances associated with the township. Her year’s tenure raised the bar for beauties with brains wishing to emulate her in the township and nationally.
Unfortunately, none from the township fitted the bill this year, as she stands down from the throne having etched her name and that of the township in the annals of beauty history. In the process affirming the adage that says, ‘where there is a will there is a way’ and, more poignantly, ‘never let your circumstances define you and your destiny’.
Alexandrians rooting for any Gautenger like Mabe, need to look among the province’s impeccable nine aspirants, Daniellë de Jager, Chanté Jantjies, Tamarin Bensch, Bryoni Govender, Michelle Howell, Anzelle van Staden, Rethabile Lethoko, Tharina Botes or Taryn Bornman who, with 28 others nationally, will be whittled down to 12 finalists after strutting their stuff on stage on 3 May.
The queen and runners-up will assume the million-plus rand crown, prizes, accolades, pampering and one year’s glory at an announcement on 27 May at Sun International’s new flagship, Time Square Sun Arena in Pretoria.
Read: Mabe makes Alex proud as first Miss SA semi-finalist
Like their predecessors, the 2018 aspirants also need to live up to the evolving public expectation of the pageant being for the beautiful and brainy ones with their CVs boasting civil and mechanical engineers, Bcomm, Bsc, medical and law students, honours degrees, a broadcaster, biokineticist, actresses, models and many more.
In a statement, Gareth Flusk of Miss South Africa Organisation and one of the judges, expressed delight and said, ” We are proud of the calibre of all entrants in the year, we also celebrate our 60th anniversary and we are looking forward to a competitive final in May.”
This in addition to Suzette van der Merwe of the sponsors, Cell C who lauded the aspirants said, “[There is a] very talented and diverse group of regional qualifiers with acumen, dedication and the right attitude to take the crown.”
Details: Stephanie Weil 084 999 8181.
