More to Miss SA than a pretty face
THE Miss SA pageant found new prestige and relevance after Rolene Strauss took the title and went on to win the Miss World title in 2014.
Liesl Laurie followed successfully in her footsteps and went on to win the Miss World Africa this year.
But what do these titles mean? Is Miss SA just a pretty face?
Laurie, whose duties end on March 19, says it has been the most rewarding as well as the most challenging time of her life. The Eldorado Park, south of Joburg, beauty who faced personal challenges with a drug addict mother, says winning caused further strain with her family.
“I am very lucky because I grew up in the township and everyone there reminded me of where I come from, my community have people who know how to keep it real with me. They know how to keep me grounded.
“However, my cousins used to have a problem in the beginning. They were people who were used to visit me a lot, but all of a sudden they stopped and I got worried. I think maybe they got intimidated by the new title and did not know how to approach me anymore.
“But we had a chat about it and I asked them not to treat me differently because underneath the gowns, crown and glamour I was still the same old Liesl,” she said.
Laurie said the title opened up plenty of opportunities for her.
“Being crowned Miss SA means you have to be an ambassador of your country. You have to know a lot about your country so that you can answer any questions you are asked when you travel around the world.
“Winning the title opened many doors for me in that I can be anything I really want to be right now. I have a good relationship with the guys at Deloitte SA and as an accountant I have secured a job there which I can go to as soon as I feel ready to. I am also very well connected in the media industry now, ” she said.
For the next pageant, which takes place at Carnival City in Brakpan, east of Joburg, next month, a total of 12 finalists are in the running.