Queen of the North 2017 winner crowned

Ronnel Homu walked away with her second pageant title of the year when she was crowned Queen of the North 2017 during a glittering event at Bolivia Lodge on Saturday evening. Earlier this year she also won the Miss Polokwane Observer Cover Girl title.
The pageant, deemed the biggest contest of its kind in the province, is not only growing in popularity but also offers very attractive prizes in the form of cash, lovely sashes and other lovely rewards.
Due to the many entries received the final pageant was held over two events with the junior entrants, 1 to 12 years, judged during Saturday morning and the senior group, 13 to 24 years, in the evening.
The winner and two runners up in each of the six categories were announced as well as two special awards, Miss Eveningwear and Public Choice Award in each.
Results:
1 to 3 years
Rehabile Makgatho was announced Little Missy Queen of the North and also received the award for Miss Eveningwear. Second place went to Larike Pretorius who also won the Public Choice award. Shamira Selamolela was the second runner-up.
4 to 6 years
Bonolo Makgoba won the category, Cassey-Lee Butler was named First Princess and Public Choice winner while and Pheladi Ngoasheng was the second runner-up. Phathu Tshivhula was named Miss Evening Wear.
7 to 9 years
Talented young model Mahlatse Mabotja made a clean sweep when she won this category, the Miss Eveningwear title and also took the exciting Overall Public Choice title with a whopping 1 400 votes. She won R2 000 in cash among others. Willita Lee was crowned First Princess and Refiloe Dipela Second Princess.
10 to 12 years
Kamogelo Makgato was announced as the winner and Washu Habioa announced First Princess. Keamogetse Sehlapelo was named Second Princess and Mashibudi Manyaka Miss Public Choice.
13 to 15 years
Michelle Fox was crowned 2017 Queen of the North Teen with Sukoluhle Sibanda second and Reneilwe Mangole third. Lebogang Masedi was named Miss Eveningwear and Tokollo Masekoameng Miss Public Choice.
16 to 24 years
Mikateko Nkuna was named 1st Princess and won R2 500. Second princess Koketso Mazundo was also named Miss Eveningwear while the Public Choice Award went to Vonani Shikwambana.
This glamorous event drew beautiful, strong competitors from over the province.
Organiser Katryn Barwise runs this youth development beauty pageant along Miss South Africa standards and entrants were asked to introduce themselves and answer one on-stage question from the judges.
The judges Lerato Malatji, Miss Regal International, Manani Fuwele, Miss Letaba Show 2009, Marli Markgraaf, Editor of Focuz Magazine, Hein Viljoen, local businessperson and Michelle Ramolefo, Tzaneen based philanthropist had their work cut out for them.
Barwise afterwards commented that the contestants were extremely professional which had made the judges’ task more difficult. The new title holder will appear on the cover of a future edition of Focuz Magazine.
Barwise thanked media sponsor Polokwa­ne Observer, main sponsor BMW Modern Autohaus Polokwane, Bolivia Lodge, House of Asante Spa, Picture Perfect Centurion and for their sponsorship.

Story and photos: Alet-Elize van Jaarsveld
>>alet-elize@observer.co.za

Featured photo: Queen of the North 2017 (16 to 24) are, Koketso Mazunda, Miss Eveningwear and Second Princess, Mikateko Nkuna, First Princess and overall cash prize winner, Ronnel Homu, Queen of the North 2017, Vonani Shikwambana, Miss Public Choice and Tshego Monyepao, former Queen of the North.