Queen of the North yet again huge success

When the judges in the prestigious Queen of the North pageant had made their calculations and reached consensus on Saturday evening it came as little surprise when Polokwane beauty, Tshegofatso Monyepao was named the winner and stepped up to claim the crown and title.
Entrants, supporters and guests had gathered from early on at the marquee tent specially set up for the occasion in the Mall of the North parking area in order not to miss any of the glamour and action of the pageant and the event did not disappoint.
Katryn Barwise, Miss Humanity International 2014 and organiser of the pageant said she had received more than 100 entries in the six age categories with contestants from as far as Lephalale and Burgersfort vying for one of the biggest beauty titles in the province.
“Queen of the North is officially one of the biggest pageants in Limpopo and the more than 600 strong crowd was roaring with excitement to see who will walk away with the titles and amazing prices. The pageant happened in two sections due to the number of entries with the junior categories 1-12 years at 10:00 and the 13-15 and 16-24 age categories at 18:00. We had prices worth over R60 000 including Mall of the North shopping vouchers, House of Asante Spa vouchers, state-of-the-art make-up kits, handbags, Honey Jewellery, Frozen toys, dolls and everything a girls heart would desire,” Barwise said.
Barwise also explained that Queen of the North is an amazing platform to help young models to kick start their career in the model industry. “Our winner, Tshegofatso will be featured on the Mall of the North billboard. I am honoured to be the owner of such a successful pageant.”
The category winners are:
1 to 3 years: Dakalo Muvhango is Little Missy Queen of the North 2016 and also won the Miss Photogenic and Public Choice Award titles. She was followed by Cassey-lee Butler who was also named Miss Personality. Ritlhavile Helani was in third place.
4 to 6 years: Kgalalelo Mabote showed her modelling talent and was crowned as Little Miss Queen of the North 2016. She also won the Public Choice Award. Anzé Esterhuizen was crowned first princess and Miss Personality. Jadine Dlamani was named second princess and Zwivhuya Mudau received the Miss Photogenic Award.
7 to 9 years: Rebotile Letshedi wears the Queen of the North Junior 2016 crown and was and also named Miss Personality. Mahlatse Mabotja was crowned as first princess and named Miss Photogenic. She was also the overall Public Choice Award winner. Phindu Tshivengwa is the second princess.
10 to 12 years: Refilwe Malatji was crowned Queen of the North Junior Teen 2016 and received the award for Miss Personality as well. She was also the Public Choice Award winner. Thabile Aphane was named first princess and Washu Hlabioa second princess. Leanne Lister claimed the Miss Photogenic award.
13 to 15 years: Joe-nan Mokwena was crowned Queen of the North Teen 2016. In second place was Tanya Shipalana. Second princess Michelle Fox was named Miss Photogenic, Vickey Vorster was named Miss Personality and Rethabile Matjuda the winner of the Public Choice Awards.
16 to 24 years: Tshegofatso Monyepao was crowned Queen of the North 2016 and Miss Photogenic. She was also the Public Choice Award winner in her age category. Naledi Kgosana was announced as first princess and Miss Personality. Mmamote Kekana is the second princess.
Barwise said it was a very successful competition and that each model looked wonderful on the stage.
All entrants had to bring along teddy bears that will be donated to a charity project close to Barwise’s heart, the Pontsho Disability Centre in Lebowagomo. The winners will hand them over as Christmas gifts to make more than 100 children smile during this December.
Barwise thanked media sponsor Polokwane Observer, Mall of the North, MGM Motors, All Seasons Function Hyper, Vodacom, Game, Foschini as well as Focuz Magazine.

LEANDRI VAN SCHALKWYK
>>leandri.observer@gmail.com