Eden SA Top Model contest has ‘five elements’ theme
The Eden SA Top Model competition took place on Saturday, 25 November at the Diaz Hotel, Mossel Bay.
It is organised by Karen Gray, owner of Crawlers and Crowns model academy.
She said: "Models came from as far as Kimberley and Cape Town, some as young as five years old, to take part to stand a chance of winning.
"As a national scout for Opulent Models South Africa, I organise the Eden SA Top Model competition every year to search for that special person who will represent the Garden Route/Western Cape at the Opulent Models grand finale in Gauteng.
"This year my director's choice was 18-yearold Grace Ndevu from KwaNonqaba."
Besides the winner, there are two runnersup in all the age categories as well as special category awards such as the most photogenic winner (Bennedette Landman), best ramp model (Rosie Koch) and best theme (Rosie Koch).
Karen said the theme this year was the five elements: wood, fire, earth, water and metal. Rosie also won the teen category and the senior overall title.
The best personality winner, Valenzo Figeland, also took first place in the Mr Eden competition.
The best dressed model, Riana Reinecke, was also the winner in the Mrs 30+ category.
The junior overall winner was Abigail Lesch, who also won her age category.
The tiny category was won by Johané Dercksen and the little category for the boys was won by Stefano Buitendag.
Karen and fellow Crawlers and Crowns director Deon Lensing are both also scouts for Unlimited Talent and Talent America.
The top two in every age category of last weekend's Top Model competition were scouted to represent South Africa at Pageants America in New York in 2024.
Karen said: "Deon and I not only host
these competitions and pageants for our contestants to have fun, but to inspire and uplift people and to help make dreams come true in our community.
"Our next competitions will be the Little Miss/Mr/Miss/Mrs and Oupa and Ouma Hartenbos Seefront beach competition and the brand new Mnr & Mej ATKV Hartenbos, taking place in December.
"All our events are posted on our Crawlers and Crowns Facebook group."