Men and women in blue show their glamorous side
It is a common sight to see a police officer in uniform, but quite another to see them in their best suit or an evening dress.
This was the case during the first-ever Waterberg District Beauty Pageant that was held on Tuesday 29 November at the Marula Oases resort outside Bela-Bela.
The surprise element was that every contestant that walked onto the runway, held a rank within the South African Police Service.
A total of 13 contestants — six women and seven men — are officers from Modimolle, Lephalale, Mahwelereng, Villa Nora, and Mokopane.
With their respective colleagues and commanders watching from the crowd, the contestants had to balance their bravery, elegance, beauty, and toughness on the runway.
The judges that scored their every move were Penny Mohlaloga, 2022 Mrs. South Africa semi-finalist, Romi Kriel, local image consultant and stylist, Danny Doman, Mr. South Africa finalist and model, and Jo Anne Moobi, businesswoman and entrepreneur.
The contestants competed in three categories — casual, traditional, and evening wear.
Doman told The Post it was the judges’ responsibility to critique them on their smiles, personality, how relevant they appear, their beauty, and their overall attitude.
The officers, although used to chasing down criminals, did not disappoint.
After each category had concluded to the excitement of the crowd and the points were tallied, the overall winner of the title, Miss Waterberg District, went to Sgt Takalani Masuluke from Modimolle.
The second and third runner-up titles went to Sgt Olivia Marokane of the Lephalale K9 Unit and Const Ivy Legodi from Modimolle.
The winner in the men’s category was Sgt Thania Matlala from Lephalale.
The second and third places went respectively to Sgt Johannes Makgamatha from Mokopane and Const Mahlatsi Moneoane from Lephalale.
Every contestant indicated during their question and answer session with the judges, they hope that their participation will be an inspiration to the communities that they serve on a daily basis.
Genl Rebecca Mangena, a Waterberg district police commissioner, praised the organizers and judges for a wonderful event.
She said that although officers do not always have the luxury of leisure time, she hopes that officers within the policing cluster will continue to exercise discipline and confidence like they had shown during the pageant.
