FORMER MISS SOUTH AFRICA TITLE HOLDERS TO MENTOR 2015 FINALISTS
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Former Miss SAs Tatum Keshwar, Bernelee Daniell, Thuli
Sithole, Suzette van der Merwe, Melinda Bam and Claudia Henkel pictured with
current Miss South Africa Ziphozakhe Zokufa. They are pictured at the launch of
a Miss SA initiative where former title holders will mentor this year’s Miss SA
finalists ahead of the pageant to be held at Sun City at the end of March.
Pic by Debbie Yazbek
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The finalists met their mentors at a function in Johannesburg which was also attended by current Miss South Africa Ziphozakhe Zokufa.
The former Miss South Africa winners who will offer advice and share their experiences are: Wilma van der Bijl (1987); Bernelee Daniell (1995); Peggy-Sue Khumalo (1996); Sonia Raciti (1998); Jo-Ann Strauss (2000); Vanessa Carreira (2001); Cindy Nell (2002); Joan Ramagoshi (2003); Nokuthula “Thuli” Sithole (2005); Tatum Keshwar (2008); Nicole Flint (2009) and Bokang Montjane (2010).
The Miss South Africa finalists are Busi Mahlangu (mentor Thuli Sithole); Chanelle Sardinha (mentor Nicole Flint); Danelle de Wet (mentor Bernelee Daniell); Gugulethu Banda (mentor Bokang Montjane); Kim Wentzel (mentor Cindy Nell); Liesl Laurie (mentor Tatum Keshwar); Nicole Lamberts (mentor Jo-Ann Strauss); Ntsiki Mkhize (mentor Peggy-Sue Khumalo); Refilwe Mthimunye (mentor Vanessa Carreira); Shanè Naidoo (mentor Sonia Raciti); Sihle Makhanya (mentor Wilma van der Bijl) and Taryn Morris (mentor Joan Ramagoshi).
Says Vanessa Carreira who will be mentoring Refilwe Mthimunye: “I would have been very grateful for industry know-how and sound advice when I was crowned Miss South Africa 14 years ago. This year's finalists will certainly benefit from the one-on-one interaction with their predecessors.”
Joan Ramagoshi’s advice to her mentee Taryn Morris: “Stay true to who you are and what you believe in, be fearless, pursue your passion and live your life with integrity and honesty. Ensure you use the platform you have been given to transform many lives. In the words of life coach Paul Bryant: ‘Show class, have pride and display character. If you do, winning takes care of itself’.”
In 2013/2014 Sun International, long-time licence holders of the annual competition repositioned the Miss South Africa pageant and Cell C came on board as the headline sponsor. It paid huge dividends with Rolene Strauss being crowned Miss South Africa 2014 and then going on to take the Miss World title last December. Her Miss South Africa crown was taken over by Ziphozakhe Zokufa who recently represented the country at the Miss Universe pageant.
Says Claudia Henkel, PR Manager: Sun International: “We want to continue making the Miss South Africa pageant relevant while also enabling any potential Miss South Africa winners to do well on the international stage. What better way than getting those women, who know exactly what the currently finalists are experiencing, to offer guidance and help. Their experience and input will be invaluable to all these young women, whatever they do after the competition ends.”
Suzette van der Merwe, Executive: Commercial Communications for Cell C says: “This aligns with Cell C’s strategy to empower women. Like Sun International and the Miss SA brand, Cell C’s goal is to support bold, confident and beautiful young women who have the power to inspire a nation and make a difference. Cell C has already established a Girl Child Institute of Mentorship and this is simply an extension – a way for women to share knowledge, offer support and encourage each other. We are delighted that these former Miss SAs are giving of their time to help a new generation of young women who are wonderful ambassadors for this country and an inspiration to their generation.”
The new Miss South Africa 2015 will be crowned at Sun City on March 29 and simulcast live on Mzansi Magic Channel 161 and M-Net Channel 101. - release by Miss SA PR Team
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