THE last time a Miss South Africa brought the Miss World title back home was in 1974 when Anneline Kriel stepped in after the UK's Helen Morgan resigned.
Kriel had succeeded compatriot Penelope Anne Coelen, who had won the title outright in 1958.
The Miss World pageant, which has been held at least eight times on these shores, has since failed to yield a winner for South Africa. Those who came closest were Jacqui Mofokeng in 1993 and Basetsana Makgalemele (now Kumalo) in 1994, who were both first runners-up respectively.
The current Miss SA, Rolene Strauss, a fourth-year medical student at University of the Free State, is under pressure to achieve what many local beauties have not accomplished in 40 years.
Yesterday, at the Maslow Hotel in Sandton, Strauss revealed two of her pageant costumes as she prepares to compete in the 64th Miss World competition in London on December 14.
Her national costume was designed by students from Cape Town College of Fashion Design and inspired by the the late Nelson Mandela. It features a drawing of Mandela's face and the headpiece is a blinged-up makarapa decorated with the big five animals and peacock and ostrich feathers.
Her opening ceremony creation is a hand-dyed, mint-green lace gown embellished with 13000 Swarovski crystals. The closing gown is inspired by a blush-pink rose and is an off-the-shoulder diagonally draped ensemble with a frilled bottom in 45metres of hand-dyed silk organza.
An upbeat Strauss said: "The former president is the beacon of hope not only to South Africa but to people around the world. My confidence with regard to public speaking has improved drastically. I am giving my absolute best and have been doing so since I was crowned."
Strauss will be pitted against some 127 beauty queens for the title currently held by Megan Young of the Philippines.
lMeanwhile, Miss Earth South Africa, Ilze Saunders, has promised to use the Miss Earth international pageant to highlight SA's environmental issues.
Saunders, 23, leaves today for the Philippines, where she will represent South Africa on November 29. She said she would use the platform to educate Asian communities about rhino poaching and the importance of protecting the animals. The national costume for the environmental ambassador is designed by Sonwabile Ndamase and is inspired by Zulu traditional attire. Saunders will wear the gown inspired by the big five animals and accessorised with beads and isicholo (Zulu hat). Her evening costume is designed by Jose De Canha Couture, while her Eco Dress is designed by Louis Designs and Flintsky Designs.
The BA communications graduate from North West University will compete against 120 finalists.
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
Our girls take on the world
THE last time a Miss South Africa brought the Miss World title back home was in 1974 when Anneline Kriel stepped in after the UK's Helen Morgan resigned.
Kriel had succeeded compatriot Penelope Anne Coelen, who had won the title outright in 1958.
The Miss World pageant, which has been held at least eight times on these shores, has since failed to yield a winner for South Africa. Those who came closest were Jacqui Mofokeng in 1993 and Basetsana Makgalemele (now Kumalo) in 1994, who were both first runners-up respectively.
The current Miss SA, Rolene Strauss, a fourth-year medical student at University of the Free State, is under pressure to achieve what many local beauties have not accomplished in 40 years.
Yesterday, at the Maslow Hotel in Sandton, Strauss revealed two of her pageant costumes as she prepares to compete in the 64th Miss World competition in London on December 14.
Her national costume was designed by students from Cape Town College of Fashion Design and inspired by the the late Nelson Mandela. It features a drawing of Mandela's face and the headpiece is a blinged-up makarapa decorated with the big five animals and peacock and ostrich feathers.
Her opening ceremony creation is a hand-dyed, mint-green lace gown embellished with 13000 Swarovski crystals. The closing gown is inspired by a blush-pink rose and is an off-the-shoulder diagonally draped ensemble with a frilled bottom in 45metres of hand-dyed silk organza.
An upbeat Strauss said: "The former president is the beacon of hope not only to South Africa but to people around the world. My confidence with regard to public speaking has improved drastically. I am giving my absolute best and have been doing so since I was crowned."
Strauss will be pitted against some 127 beauty queens for the title currently held by Megan Young of the Philippines.
lMeanwhile, Miss Earth South Africa, Ilze Saunders, has promised to use the Miss Earth international pageant to highlight SA's environmental issues.
Saunders, 23, leaves today for the Philippines, where she will represent South Africa on November 29. She said she would use the platform to educate Asian communities about rhino poaching and the importance of protecting the animals. The national costume for the environmental ambassador is designed by Sonwabile Ndamase and is inspired by Zulu traditional attire. Saunders will wear the gown inspired by the big five animals and accessorised with beads and isicholo (Zulu hat). Her evening costume is designed by Jose De Canha Couture, while her Eco Dress is designed by Louis Designs and Flintsky Designs.
The BA communications graduate from North West University will compete against 120 finalists.
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
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