Ntandoyenkosi Kunene, a 24-year-old Mpumalanga beauty, will represent South Africa against 119 other beauties in the competition which is watched by more than one-billion people worldwide.
Starting at the end of November, the 66th edition of Miss World will put the contestants through a series of challenges and interviews to determine who will win the coveted title of Miss World 2016 and become the ambassador of “Beauty with a Purpose”.
Miss World 2016 will be held on December 18 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Centre, National Harbour, Washington, DC where the current Miss World, Mireia Lalaguna of Spain will crown her successor. This will be the second time that the United States will host the pageant.
Kunene is looking forward to the pageant and said, “I have learned valuable lessons, thanks to the wonderful opportunities being Miss South Africa 2016 has afforded me. Growing up it was always my dream to be crowned
Miss South Africa and I am thrilled now to be able to represent this country on the international stage. I will do my best make the Rainbow Nation proud.”
Johannesburg-based designer JJ Schoeman is responsible for the design of Kunene’s wardrobe in the build-up to the event as well as for the pageant itself. These include the main competition dress; a Dances of the World dress; an interview suit; a Designers of the World dress; an auction-night outfit and other clothing that she will wear.
Schoeman describes the main competition dress as follows: “It is an Afrocentric design – a fitted long ball gown in dark champagne with vertical hand-beaded panels in mother of pearl. The Dances costume is designed with the African sunrise in mind. The interview suit is a very dramatic – an off- the-shoulder, fitted jacket in old rose pink with matching pencil skirt. The Designer dress, in peacock blue, is made of heavy embroidered and sequined lace with a tiered skirt detail and a plunging neckline.”
He explains what will make her outfits stand out: “They are Afrocentric – European influences mixed with Africa is a strong signature. The colours are bold and the main dress will reflect well under the stage lighting. The dresses are made to measure and fit Ntando like a glove.”
Schoeman believes that his experience judging international beauty pageants will give Kunene the edge when it comes to her outfits: “I have judged many competitions, including the Miss World pageant in 2009, so I have an insight into what is needed to make a contestant stand out. When I design for a beauty pageant, lighting and fabric is most important, as well as the cut of the neckline.”
Should she not place in the Top 5 at Miss World, Kunene will also represent South Africa at the 2016 Miss Universe Pageant to be held in Manila, Philippines, in January 2017.
The last Miss South Africa to compete in both the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants was Miss South Africa 2013 Marilyn Ramos.
