Khanyi Mbau’s surprise visit at auditions
"At the final event on July 16, there will be 18 finalists, two from each province and the best girl will be crowned during the entertainment filled ceremony. Don't miss out on this one,".
MBOMBELA – Renowned South African celebrity, Khanyi Mbau made a surprise appearance during the Miss Tourism Universe South Africa 2016 auditions on Saturday at the Morningside Garden Court in Sandton, Gauteng.
She caused such a frenzy as she drove in her luxurious car and entered the reception area where she was well received by hotel staff, organizers, Mzimari Productions, contestants and lastly, the judging panel all of whom posed for selfies and group photos.
It was after a very long day of auditioning that the judging panel comprising of Kedibone Mkhabela, Nawaal Mdluli, TK Mbatha, organizer Gugu Nyarenda and yours truly, there came storming in Mbau who first posed as a contestant, walked the ramp and curtly introduced herself like the contestants normally do.
She succeeded in pulling our leg for a moment as we were sort of dazed, but quickly recovered as she laughed at us.
Fortunately for Mdluli, who is the owner/publisher of Essays of Africa magazine, who’d been frantically looking for Mbau for the past three months for a cover shoot and interview – they clinched a deal for the shoot on the spot.
In her typical self, a straight talker that she is, advised Mdluli to contact Mbatha, who is her personal designer and stylist whenever she needs her or herself directly – the flop had been caused by her agency which she vows never informed her about the shoot.
Contrary to the bad-girl attitude that’s always portrayed about Mbau in tabloids across the country, I found her to be an astute strategist as she teamed up with Nyarenda on planning the pageant’s auditions.
She’s business minded, fun to be around with as she’s accomodative to people around her without showcasing any diva tendencies.
As we speak, Mbau is rallying around eligible young women between 18-26 years who are 1.73 meters in height, beautiful and whose bodies meet international measurements to enter the pageant.
“I know the kind of women who need to enter and I will get them all from all the provinces,” she assured Nyarenda.
On the other hand, Nyarenda said: “In fact, Mbau will host the national pageant on July 16 as we’d already reached that agreement days before she pitched here.
She’s now the face of the pageant and the judging panel will comprise of celebrity judges, but will exclude myself and Hlatshwayo for the finals, we’re just assisting in the preliminary rounds at the moment.
“This is history in the making for the country as this is the inaugural Miss Tourism Universe South Africa and there are lucrative prizes which also includes a brand new car. The queen’s role will be spread across the nine provinces’ tourism departments to promote tourism and market the country extensively, hence the search involves finding a queen that is very knowledgeable about the tourism industry and one who can articulate her strategies well to the judges.
“At the final event on July 16, there will be 18 finalists, two from each province and the best girl will be crowned during the entertainment filled ceremony. Don’t miss out on this one,” she ended.
Additional auditions will be held on Friday, June 17 in the Johannesburg CBD from 10.00-17.00 at a venue to be confirmed.
On Saturday, June 18 the auditions will also be held in the Durban CBD from 10.00-17.00 at a venue to be confirmed.
