POLOKWANE – After helping aspiring models make it into the industry for several years, Martina Pretorius, is handing over the reins of most of the well-known pageants in the city to Sharon Stander.
Sharon took over as pageant director with immediate effect and said that she felt both honoured and excited at the opportunity.
“It was slightly overwhelming to be chosen to take over the responsibilities and it is a privilege to continue building on such a strong foundation. I will do my utmost to keep the standards high and we might see some new developments in the future,” Sharon said.
Martina founded the Face of Savannah seven years ago and has been the pageant, and the annual Miss, Mrs and Mr Kierieklapper pageant’s director for several years.
“It was both an easy and a difficult choice to make. Although there were many possible candidates to take over the reins as pageant director, I feel Sharon is the only person who really understands the industry. This factor made her stand head and shoulders above the rest and I believe she will continue to embody the values of the pageants as her standards are very high,” Martina said.
Several of the models who had their start through either the Kierieklapper or Face of Savannah pageants have made a big name for themselves in the industry.
“Through these pageants we showed that you do not have to stand back for anyone just because you are from Limpopo. Our Make Modelling Beautiful team is at the same level as modelling companies from provinces such as Gauteng with our prize table sometimes being bigger than those companies. Looking back over what we have achieved I can only attribute our success to the grace of God,” she added.The motivation behind launching these two pageants was to give the youth in Limpopo a platform to showcase their talent and wanted to offer models what other companies did not.
Martina encouraged the modelling industry to accept and welcome Sharon with open arms.
“I am confident she will receive the same level of support I did in the industry and I wish her all the best for her future endeavours. I know you will power through the difficult tasks that await with passion and grace all while staying humble. She will continue the legacy of giving wings to the models, youths and community of Limpopo,” Martina concluded.
