After months of auditions, interviews and competing in different challenges, it was Free State medical student Rolene Strauss who walked away with the much coveted crown.
[full]Strauss was crowned Miss South Africa 2014 at a glittering ceremony held at the Sun City Superbowl last night.
“Oh, how I love South Africa! I can live, speak, learn and love freely. My dreams are developed and become reality here. Our country is my pride and my purpose has and will always lie within it,” the new Miss SA said in her acceptance speech.
“Not only does the Miss South Africa title have the ability to take me places, but I will also learn from the women who walked this path before me. I am who I am today because of our country and the opportunities I have received from her generous hand. For me this will be a year of giving back; giving thanks and being a true example of the potential women and all South Africans can have in our country.”
Runners-up are Ziphozakhe Zokufa from the Eastern Cape (1st Princess) and Limpopo’s Matlala Mokoko (2nd Princess).
The three came out tops after they, along with two other top five contestants, Anzel Stofberg and Tidimalo Sehlako, faced some grueling questions from the judges.
Judges were Amy Kleinhans-Curd, crowned Miss South Africa in 1992; magazine editor, Kojo Baffoe; TV presenter Bonang Matheba; radio personality Anele Mdoda and Pnina Fenster, editor of Glamour magazine.
Former Miss SA Melinda Bam was thrilled for Strauss following the crowning and even had some words of wisdom to share.
“The judges made a good choice, I think she was consistent throughout the competition, ”she said.
“I believe that all the women who made it to the top 3 were strong contenders. Rolene will be fantastic Miss SA.”
Words of advice for Rolene: “Be real. An as ambassador needs to be someone people can relate to. “
“If she’s sincere and tells her story, people will get to know her and resonate with her,” she added.
As Miss South Africa 2014, Strauss has won cash, a car and products valued at more than R1.3 million. She also gets thousands of rands in cash and study bursaries to award to South Africans that she meets during her reign. Cell C is also giving the winner access to R200 000 to spend on random acts of kindness.[/full]