HE one thing that kept resonating in my mind as the girls first walked on to the razzmatazz Sun City Superbowl stage was that Matapa Maila might just snatch the title this time around.
HE one thing that kept resonating in my mind as the girls first walked on to the razzmatazz Sun City Superbowl stage was that Matapa Maila might just snatch the title this time around.
So when Nicole Flint's name was called, I was among those who were shocked. I might not have noticed the petite lass, but obviously the judges saw something we did not
Sitting face to face with the new Miss South Africa at the picturesque Palace with its panoramic view, she tells me that she has always dreamt about entering the pageant.
"The timing was not right and I thought I'd wait a couple of years. However, we were all cast, which sort of hurried my dream along" she says, explaining that after the first interview she just knew that the title was in the bag.
"I knew I was going to win, especially after all the prayers. I have always wanted to enter and win. I love the adulation and attention when you stand and everybody is looking at you.
"All the girls were fabulous and they had something in them that made them stand out and you knew they could just as easily walk away with the title. We prayed together with the coordinators and were not shy about helping each other. We were told we were the first calm and strong group in the history of the pageant.
"My room mate Taki Simeli with whom we prepared for the possible top five questions, is an amazing human being.
"What is going to stand me in good stead during my reign is I am unique in every way, compassionate, lovable, hardworking, I love people and am interested in what they have to say."
On why she looked like Sonia Racii was telling her about the weather when she pronounced her the winner.
"I am a calm person. I was awe struck. I still did not trust that I had done it. Besides, I realised that I needed to conserve my energy for the press conference. At the moment, after a good night's rest, I am relaxed and already thinking about preparations for Miss World, Miss Universe and 2010 Fifa World Cup" she says, expressing a wish to help her sponsors and Sun International that are going to do a lot of things for her in the coming New Year.
The former apprentice on Jacaranda FM, who read the weather before rushing to another PR job, studied radio and television presenting.
"My mission is to be an ambassador of my country to represent it well and kill myths like our being the crime capital of the world. I know all this will be possible through the amazing support of my family."
Dream comes true
HE one thing that kept resonating in my mind as the girls first walked on to the razzmatazz Sun City Superbowl stage was that Matapa Maila might just snatch the title this time around.
HE one thing that kept resonating in my mind as the girls first walked on to the razzmatazz Sun City Superbowl stage was that Matapa Maila might just snatch the title this time around.
So when Nicole Flint's name was called, I was among those who were shocked. I might not have noticed the petite lass, but obviously the judges saw something we did not
Sitting face to face with the new Miss South Africa at the picturesque Palace with its panoramic view, she tells me that she has always dreamt about entering the pageant.
"The timing was not right and I thought I'd wait a couple of years. However, we were all cast, which sort of hurried my dream along" she says, explaining that after the first interview she just knew that the title was in the bag.
"I knew I was going to win, especially after all the prayers. I have always wanted to enter and win. I love the adulation and attention when you stand and everybody is looking at you.
"All the girls were fabulous and they had something in them that made them stand out and you knew they could just as easily walk away with the title. We prayed together with the coordinators and were not shy about helping each other. We were told we were the first calm and strong group in the history of the pageant.
"My room mate Taki Simeli with whom we prepared for the possible top five questions, is an amazing human being.
"What is going to stand me in good stead during my reign is I am unique in every way, compassionate, lovable, hardworking, I love people and am interested in what they have to say."
On why she looked like Sonia Racii was telling her about the weather when she pronounced her the winner.
"I am a calm person. I was awe struck. I still did not trust that I had done it. Besides, I realised that I needed to conserve my energy for the press conference. At the moment, after a good night's rest, I am relaxed and already thinking about preparations for Miss World, Miss Universe and 2010 Fifa World Cup" she says, expressing a wish to help her sponsors and Sun International that are going to do a lot of things for her in the coming New Year.
The former apprentice on Jacaranda FM, who read the weather before rushing to another PR job, studied radio and television presenting.
"My mission is to be an ambassador of my country to represent it well and kill myths like our being the crime capital of the world. I know all this will be possible through the amazing support of my family."