Miss SA finalists enter beauty boot camp

The Top 12 are Ziphozakhe Zokufa (22) of Port Elizabeth; Dipalesa Mbola (22) of Bloemfontein; Rolene Strauss (21) of Bloemfontein; Caylene Marais (23) of Roodepoort; Matlala Mokoko (23) of Ga-Masemola, Marogwe, Limpopo; Tidimalo Sehlako (22) of Vereeniging; Tshegofatso Monggae (20) of Roodepoort; Julia Petersen (22) of Durban; Abigail de Jager (22) of Stellenbosch; Anzél Stofberg of Stellenbosch; Jade Hubner (21) of Cape Town; and Mishka Patel (21) of Cape Town.

The fun and games – and a few tears – began from the start as the girls got to know each other and had opportunities to consider their own strengths. There were heart-warming moments, too, when they travelled to the Thari Mmekega Orphanage, a Sun International CSI project, where they delivered cakes to 74 children. It was an emotional afternoon as the contestants bonded with the children – especially when one boy, Lethabo (13), whose parents died of Aids when he was a baby, read a poignant poem he had written.

On the first day, the girls had to visit Borite Primary School near Sun City, where they had to teach a class about the insect world. They had to greet the pupils in five different languages, instruct them in English and also sing a school song with them.

Over the next five days the Top 12 spent time learning how to flip pancakes, bake cupcakes and compete against each other at the Valley of the Waves in beach games and a hula hoop competition.

On a rainy night the girls, in all their fashion finery, had to show their modelling abilities on a wet runway in the Amphitheatre – and their nerves were sorely tested. Those finalists who enjoyed dancing had a chance to demonstrate some nifty moves. Schooled by renowned choreographer and dancer Somizi Mhlongho, they later had to duplicate the steps he had shown them in an intense dance video game challenge.

All of the competitors have strict fitness regimes and their athletic ability was put to the test in a fitness challenge. Fitness instructress Stacey Holland guided the girls through a series of routines, with pumping disco music adding to the vibe.

The girls all understand how to apply make-up – but could they do this on a bumpy game drive without messing up? It was a fun challenge, especially when Mishka Patel had to contend with a melted lipstick. A highlight of the day was feeding the elephants at Elephant Wallow, a watering hole in the Letsatsing Game Park.

One of the most exciting challenges, according to the girls, was having their pictures taken in the rock pool garden next to the Palace of the Lost City.

Clad in designer costumes and awash with jewellery, the contenders posed professionally with a variety of exotic birds of prey on their arms. Just out of shot was bird trainer Dylan Freeman, making sure that no feathers were ruffled.

Stellenbosch’s Abigail de Jager was a little reluctant to have a large eagle on her arm and quipped she’d rather be photographed with a leopard.

Overall, the Top 12 showed tenacity, perseverance and plenty of good humour and all survived beauty boot camp with their dignity intact.