Suné makes history in China
"They announced the name of my country in Chinese that sounded nothing like 'South Africa' and I didn't realise I was called until they started announcing my number."
AFTER a grueling 21-day modelling competition in China, local model, Suné Botes, was crowned first princess at the Miss Model of the World pageant.
Representing the country at the 27th annual event, where models from 64 other countries competed, Botes became the first South African to make it to the top five in the history of the competition.
The 20-year-old,who also has a clothing line, said she has been modelling professionally for many years, and is trained by an agency in Queensburgh. “Miss Model of the World was an amazing, well organised modeling competition in which contestants were judged on how you act daily, for 21 days.
“We had the final judging on Friday, 30 October and the Gala Crowning the next day, where thousands of people came to watch 65 of the best models from around the world compete for 21 days for the top five positions,” she explained.
Botes entered Miss Junior South Africa in April, won the title and was encouraged by the director of pageants to enter the international modeling contest. “Being a professional high fashion model, this competition was a great fit for me as it is who I am and what I do on a daily basis,” she said.
“At the gala, they called out the top 30. They announced the name of my country in Chinese which sounded nothing like ‘South Africa’ and I didn’t realise I was called until they started announcing my number.
“I was overjoyed at hearing my number and did my walk, rushed back stage to change into the Victoria’s Secret outfits to do our final walk as top 30,” she said.
Botes is grateful to have stood in front of thousands of spectators to accept her award. “I felt so blessed to be standing right there. At that moment, all the hard work all came down to this one moment when they started announcing the top five. I know that was what I worked for.”
She described herself as goal orientated and after being chosen to represent South Africa, started doing a lot of research and discovered that in 26 years, no one in South Africa had been placed in the top five, which gave her something to work towards.
With 25 positions already filled, her nerves kicked in at the realisation that there were only five positions left.
“With butterflies in my tummy, I heard them call fourth, third and second runner up. Knowing there were only two places left, made everyone nervous.
“They called first runner-up, number 54 South Africa, I started crying tears of joy. I did not only make top five but top three. This is a first for South Africa,” she recalled.
Botes descriped her experience in China as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that she looked forward to doing again.
“I could not have asked for a better experience in the month that we were competing for the title. It was a once-in-a-life time experience meeting girls from all over the world and building life long friendships.
“We stayed in top class hotels and I really enjoyed the shopping,” she fondly recalled her trip.
“We also had activities in and around China, learning more about Chinese traditions and helping in the community. We got to fly a lot and it is now like second nature to me.
“I cannot wait for my next trip. I love the Chinese language and I will be learning more of it before my next trip in January. I love travelling so this was a great experience and I look forward to going back,” she said.
