AND THE WINNER IS….
This past weekend, (Saturday, July 16), despite the slightly inclemented weather, it was an evening of tiara’s, elegant ball gowns, trendy suits and dashing dolphins, as well as huge smiles and tears of joy when they crowned the 12th Dairymaid Mr, Miss & Miss Junior uShaka Marine World brand ambassador which was hosted within the Dolphin Stadium at uShaka Sea World.
The crowds of supporters, that of family and friends, had a fun and entertaining evening while the judges deliberated on their decision on who out of the 45 contestants, would walk away with prizes valued at over R50 000. The judges marking criteria fell into a number of categories from strong leadership abilities, ambassadorial skills, personality and overall appearance – an all-round 10 who would become their representative.
While the judges decided on the respective winners, the crowds were entertained by various artists from Westville Senior Primary School choir, the D2Di dance troupe, and singers George Meiring and Vicky Sampson.
Before the judges announced the results, uShaka Marine World’s CEO, Stella Khumalo thanked the crowd for lending their support for this auspicious occasion and she was excited, anxious and most of all, looking forward to meeting and welcoming the new brand ambassadors to the “uShaka family” and wished them well for their reign and their journey on how they were going to raise awareness of the park and conservation.
Finally, once the judges’ results were tabulated there was a round of applause as the following names were announced:
In the Miss Junior uShaka category: 2nd runner up was 15 year old Grade 9 Queensburgh Girls High student, Amanda Msomi from Newlands West, 1st runner up was 16 year old Grade 11 student from New Forest High was Aphiwe Mtshali from Montclair, and 15 year old Shaela De Bruyn, who hails from Westville and is in Grade 9 at Westville Girls High was crowned the winner.
In the Mr uShaka category: 2nd runner up was Wade Groom a 26 year old Exercise & Biokinetics student from Hillcrest, with Dyllan Desfontaines, who is a 17 year old Grade 11 St Henry Marist College student from Glenwood as the runner up and the title of Mr uShaka 2016 went to 28 year old Cowies Hill resident, Ashley Eddy who is a Mechanical & Electrical Engineer.
Finally, the coveted crown for Miss uShaka 2016 went to Queensburgh beauty, Nqobile Mahlambi, who is 20 years old and is currently a part-time make-up artist and a 2nd year BA student, with Lisanne Lazarus from Amanzimtoti, who is currently studying journalism, taking the position as 1st runner up followed by 20 year old, Graphic Design student, Leah Prinsloo, from Morningside placed as the 2nd runner up.
The general consensus from each category winner was that they were thrilled that they had won in their respective category and look forward to their reign for 2016/2017 at uShaka Marine World.
Congratulations to all involved!!
STANDING: Miss Junior uShaka 1st runner up was 16 year old Grade 11 student from New Forest High, Aphiwe Mtshali from Montclair; 2nd runner up was 15 year old Grade 9 Queensburgh Girls High student, Amanda Msomi from Newlands West; Mr uShaka 1st runner up, Dyllan Desfontaines, who is a 17 year old Grade 11 St Henry Marist College student from Glenwood; 2nd runner up was Wade Groom a 26 year old Exercise & Biokinetics student from Hillcrest, Miss uShaka 2nd runner up, Leah Prinsloo, a 20 year old who hails from Morningside; 1st runner up is 20 year old student, Lisanne Lazarus, who comes from Amanzimtoti and is currently studying journalism.
SEATED ARE THE 2016 WINNERS: Miss Junior uShaka is 15 year old Shaela De Bruyn, who hails from Westville and is in Grade 9 at Westville Girls High; Mr uShaka is 28 year old Cowies Hill resident, Ashley Eddy who is a Mechanical & Electrical Engineer and Miss uShaka is Queensburgh beauty, Nqobile Mahlambi, who is 20 years old and is currently a part-time make-up artist and a 2nd year BA student.