Excitement as Miss Polokwane Observer Cover Girl is crowned

A Grade 11 learner from Hoërskool Merensky in the Tzaneen area, Ronnel Homu beat 64 other contestants to win the coveted Miss Polokwane Observer Cover Girl 2016 hosted by Limpopo Beauty Modelling Academy at Meropa Casino & Entertainment World on Saturday evening.
Ronnel is not new to pageants as she was First Princess in the Miss Limpopo Teen 2015 pageant.
The 17-year-old stole the hearts of many, including the judging panel, with her genuine rapport and elegance. She described her achievement as a sign of greater things to come.
“I have entered many pageants and always won the first and second princess titles. I am happy to have won the award. It means a lot to me. I thank God and my family for their undying support. I am happy with the prospect of becoming an ambassador for Polokwane Observer. Polokwane Observer is one of the biggest community newspapers in the country and I think the title will give me exposure as a model,” Ronnel said.

She dedicated the title to her mother, Gertrude Homu for the support she has shown her since venturing into modelling. “My mother helped me a lot. She always prays for me whenever I am participating in pageants and always encourages me to enter more competitions. I am grateful to have someone like her in my life and I will continue to make her proud,” Ronnel said.
She revealed that she plans to enter the Miss World pageant one day but only after completing a degree in Clinical Psychology. “For me Miss World is the pinnacle but I want to study first and once I am done with my studies, I want to take that direction. I chose Clinical Psychology because I want to help young people to deal with their social problems. Youths are committing suicide almost every day because of the pressures of life and society. As a young person I am concerned about the suicide rate and I want to help those affected,” Ronnel said.
Her duties as Miss Polokwane Observer Cover Girl will be to participate in a variety of community projects such as food drives, soup kitchens and blanket drives for the needy. “I am a caring and giving person by nature. Charity work is close to my heart I am looking forward to take part in those events,” Ronnel said.
Convener and organiser of Miss Polo­kwane Observer Cover Girl 2016 Katryn Barwise said she was amazed by the incredible performance of all the participants. “It was an extremely tough competition. I am proud of all the winners and every single girl that entered. They all looked like royalty,” Barwise said.
Contestants from different parts of the province supported by an audience of 250 people mainly parents and family members made for an exciting finale to the competition that Barwise describes the pageant as one of the biggest and most prestigious in the province.
“It has become a highlight on the pageant calendar and we are looking forward to an even bigger event next year,” she said.
On the day of the final judging and crowning Limpopo Beauty Modelling Academy with the assistance of participants collected canned food for the residents of Ga-Maboi Drop-in-Centre in Mankweng and Phontsho Disability Centre in Lebowakgomo.
According to Barwise winners in all categories will travel to the centres and do the official handover.
She also thanked Audi Polokwane who was the main sponsor.

The winners are:
1 to 3 years
Larike Pretorius was named Little Missy Polokwane Observer 2016, Bokang Modipane the First Princess and Jasmine Lekganyane Second Princess. Larike also gave the best interview, Bokang won the Public Choice category and Jasmine the eveningwear category.
4 to 6 years
Zwivhuya Mudau was named Little Miss Polokwane Observer followed by Casey-Lee Butler, First Princess and Bonolo Makgoba, Second Princess. Phathu Tshivula was the age group and Overall Winner of the Public Choice award with more than 2 000 votes while Zwivhuya gave the best interview and Casey-Lee won the eveningwear category.
7 to 9 years
The winners in this category are Miss Junior Polokwane Observer 2016, Motswedi Pambo with the First Princess Ma­hlatse Mabotja and Second Princess Kgalalelo Mabotja. Motswedi was also the winner of the Best Interview while Mahlatse won the eveningwear section and Kgalalelo the Public Choice.
10 to 12 years
In this age group, Miss Polokwane Obser­ver Junior Teen 2016 is Rebothile Letshedi with Refilwe Malatji the First Princess and Washu Hlabioa Second Princess. Refilwe gave the best interview, Francine Andrew won the eveningwear section and Keamogetse Sehlapelo the Public Choice award.
13 to 15 years
The title of Miss Polokwane Observer Teen 2016 went to Michelle Fox. The First Princess is Sukoluhle Sibanda who also gave the best interview.
The Second Princess is Nyeleti Sketana. The Public Choice award winner was Tokollo Masekoameng and Amogelang Maleka won the eveningwear section.
16 to 24 years
Ronnel Homu is Miss Polo­kwane Observer 2016. The runners-up are First Princess Mikateko Nkuna and Second Princess Rethabile Matjuda. Ronnel also gave the best interview while Mikateko won the Public Choice section and Clarichialynn du Plessis the eveningwear.

Story and photos: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za

Featured photo: Ronnel Homu, Miss Polokwane Observer Cover Girl 2016 is congratulated by her mother Getrude Homu. Ronnel was crowned during a glittering pageant finale held at Meropa Casino & Entertainment World on Saturday.