Miss Wonder Woman runway, a platform for change

It was a tearful start to the fourth annual Miss Wonder Woman pageant on Saturday evening as pageant host, Sharné Dheochand, related her family’s battle with cancer.

In the 3 – 6 year category, Athandwe Mthanti won the title of First Princess, Samthanda Tsele was crowned Queen and Zaylee Els won Second Princess.

Dheochand lost her brother, Justin, to leukaemia in 2007 and her mother, Belinda Ellor, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021.

“…But I am blessed to say that my mum stands by my side as my rock, and my strength and my real-life superhero,” said Dheochand, explaining that the main purpose behind Miss Wonder Woman is to spread cancer awareness and encourage early detection and prevention.

“For as long as I can remember, I had a dream to win one of the top five biggest pageants in South Africa,” continued Dheochand, who was recently crowned Miss Grand South Africa. “…And that I would also compete internationally in one of the top five pageants in the world. I thought that after achieving this dream, I would have everything. But soon after achieving that dream, I realised that without health we really have nothing and without our family and our loved ones by our side, no victory will ever be complete.”

“Even the biggest crown can lose its shine. That’s why the most important things are our loved ones and our health.”

Dheochand went on to explain that her mission for each and every contestant is ‘to know that they are worthy of it all’, and that they have the power to make a change by just walking the ramp.

“I want to inspire them to become the best versions of themselves by taking part in pageants like Miss Wonder Woman so that they may use the platform to make a change,” Dheochand concluded.

Thereafter, a bevy of beautiful and ‘fierce’ girls took to the runway for an evening of fun and entertainment.

Mieke Janse van Rensburg was crowned Miss Wonder Woman Supreme 2024. She also earned the title of Miss Debutante having raised the most money in support of Reach for Recovery.

Overall winner of the Miss Wonder Woman pageant, Mieke Janse van Rensburg, is congratulated by event organiser, Sharné Dheochand.

Mayah Lauterbach (13) is crowned ‘The Face of Miss Wonder Woman 2024’.

In the 7 – 9 year category, Aninke Botes won the title of First Princess, Zonotha Cele was crowned Queen, and Kailyn van Rooyen won Second Princess.

In the 10 – 12 year category, Luyanda Cele won the title of First Princess, Simthandile Madondo was crowned Queen, and Ntandoyamaswazi Kubheka won Second Princess.

In the 13 – 16 year category, Chrizmie Mostert won the title of First Princess, Bulelwa Sibisi was crowned Queen, and Melani Ngwenya won Second Princess.

In the 17 years and above category, Langelihle Madide won the title of First Princess, Rochelle Strydom was crowned Queen and Yamukela Shangase won Second Princess.