Miss Earth SA set for global do

Globally Miss Earth is considered one of the biggest beauty pageants, after Miss Universe and Miss World.

In South Africa it’s become an engagement platform, roping in young women from a variety of communities to engage others on nature conservation, sustainable living and even simple day-to-day activities such as recycling.

“It’s an environmental activism platform,” says executive director of Miss Earth South Africa Catherine Constantinides.

Last week, Miss Earth South Africa celebrated two major events: the first was the sendoff of Margo Fargo to represent South Africa at the 2018 international Miss Earth event to take place in Manila, Philippines, on November 3.

Fargo, 26, is not the reigning Miss Earth South Africa, but was chosen as a delegate to show the long-term relationships fostered by the leadership programme.

The same values are expected from the new Miss Earth South Africa, Nazia Wadee, who was crowned on Saturday during a glitzy gala dinner in Johannesburg.

It's an honour to have @HermanMashaba and @mphophalatse1 @NicoDeJager64 here tonight #MissEarthSouthAfrica #MissEarth2018 pic.twitter.com/10Ck3ztSAP

— Miss Earth South Africa (@missearth_sa) October 6, 2018

The evening had a strong focus on the organisation’s role in South Africa the last few years, with guests such as Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba, Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom, as well as previous winners in the audience.

The programme was centred on panel discussions about the impact of programmes such as this, which included input from 2018 finalists and previous competitors and winners.

However, in the run-up to the gala evening, social media hasn’t been kind to the programme or some of the finalists.

On September 29, finalist Ansonique Smit shared pictures of herself feeding cheetahs at Running Wild Conservation. The post was shared on the Miss Earth South Africa Facebook page, with one user questioning the practice.

Other photos on the Miss Earth Twitter profile also has finalists posing with animals at the Joburg Zoo, which has become a contentious issue after one elephant, Kinkel, died in early September.

Wildlife groups have been lobbying for Kinkel’s partner, Lammie, to be released to a sanctuary. Even the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has opposed City Parks’ decision to keep Lammie.

https://www.facebook.com/ansonique.smit/posts/10210327527259459?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARDAZtNOn4JEMTQ7_0XmlKdIhvfadJ-sH_UtL-EqgHBCJiBrkCUEM4nTpJmx1LRdedIdKoxdcMKZy5gbTEGJ5aqm22jSfJFJuFqD_7S60sELMPfINSooD4EVx6D_yPDP6q1u9Cjfjeg_mre0GQhtcSmcfSQd35VGQAvGDZBws1_gLtfdhm7eoQ&__tn__=C-R

Running Wild Conservation responded: “Thank you for your concern, we totally agree that petting has no conservation value although Running Wild Cheetah Conservation advocates strongly against cub petting, public display and interactions. We are also against the removal of cubs from their mothers for petting purposes. All our cubs are mother raised. We are the only facility in the world that breeds cheetahs for the sole purpose of rewilding.

“Many of the cheetahs we have bred and raised are now living a free life in protected reserves. We are not open for the public and we do not trade with any of our animals. We have also saved lions from the hunting industry.

“We only allow volunteers to assist with our daily tasks. Ansonique is a dedicated and responsible wildlife ambassador for us and we are privileged to have her volunteering her time to assist us with our work. She did not pet the animals but helped us with our daily husbandry tasks,” the organisation said.

Last year, Miss Earth South Africa also came under fire after the organisation sent Miss Earth South Africa 2017 Irini Moutzouris to the international competition. Moutzouris was eliminated from the international competition and sent home after she was deemed too short.

Miss Earth director Ella Bella admitted they knew the rules but decided to send Moutzouris over other title holders who would have met the international requirements.

– adriaanr@citizen.co.za

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