Western Cape seemed to be the province of choice with the new Miss South Africa and her first princess hailing from the fairest Cape.
On Sunday night, 21-year-old BCom student Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters from Sedgefield claimed the title of Miss SA 2017.
Her win makes the crowd favourite the first ever Miss South Africa to walk away with R1 million in cash. This is on top of the R25 000 Nel-Peters won when she was selected as a Top 12 contestant in the national pageant.
She also walked away with an additional R1 million in prizes, including a brand new car. During her final question, Nel-Peters was asked what was her greatest fear. She unhesitantly answered: “The fear of fear. We forget we’re human. We all have that little voice inside of us telling us to be afraid.”
This isn’t her first time in a leadership role.
The part-time model was also the first girl at her high school to be chosen as head girl of her school and hostel. Previously, she was the Deputy Junior Mayor of the George City Council. The business management and entrepreneurship graduate from the North West University will have a very busy schedule this year. Ahead of her lies a full year as brand ambassador for Cell C and Sun International, as well as representing South Africa at Miss World and Miss Universe. She will also be involved with many girl- and women-focused projects aimed at empowering women in South Africa. By her side will be Adé van Heerden, a junior doctor.
Van Heerden was crowned as first princess in the final moments of the televised pageant.
Boipelo Mabe from Alexandra was crowned as second princess.
On Monday Nel-Peters will appear at a media breakfast where she will face journalists and broadcasters in her first appearance as Miss South Africa. What Twitter had to say about the new Miss SA:
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