Fully prepared for the next title
MISS UNIVERSE: BRING IT ON, SAYS OUR DEMI-LEIGH
It has been 39 years since a South African Margaret Gardiner wore the crown.
Hoping to follow in the footsteps of former Miss South Africa titleholders who have triumphed on the international stage, reigning Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters goes to compete in the Miss Universe pageant in November.
Penny Coelen was crowned South Africa’s first Miss World in 1958; Anneline Kriel took over the title in 1974; Rolene Strauss did it in 2014 and Miss RSA Margaret Gardiner was named Miss Universe in 1978.
The 66th Miss Universe pageant is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 26, with the venue still to be confirmed. Nel-Peters, a 22-year-old BCom graduate from Sedgefield in the Western Cape, will leave for the competition earlier that month.
“My preparations started when I was crowned Miss South Africa 2017. Just as with the Miss South Africa platform, I understand the responsibility of being Miss Universe and the impact it has on millions of lives,” said Nel-Peters, adding that she believes she is fully prepared for the pageant.
“I am extremely excited and proud to represent our Rainbow Nation and cannot wait to wear the name ‘South Africa’ proudly across my chest.
“It has been 39 years since a South African wore the Miss Universe crown, and I promise to dedicate and commit myself to ensure the crown will once again be on South African soil.”
Nel-Peters will be assisted with preparations by two experts ahead of the competition: pageant coach and fashion stylist Werner Wessels and Miss South Africa stylist Noreen Kajee-Vareta.
“I do a training programme similar to countries such as the Philippines, Venezuela and the US,” said Wessels.
“I’ve been very fortunate to assist and coach Strauss in 2014, as well as Miss America for the Miss World pageant in 2015.
“I apply my model of training as they do in those countries. If you are serious about winning an international title, you don’t enter a pageant without a pageant coach,” he added.
“We started preparations for Miss Universe as soon as DemiLeigh was crowned Miss South Africa and look forward to revealing her outfits for the pageant closer to the time. She’s fully prepared and ready to bring the crown home to South Africa,” Kajee-Vareta added.
The 60th Miss South Africa pageant will be staged next year.