Lowveld beauty amazes visitors
MBOMBELA - For the first time in the 19-year history of the Miss and Mister Deaf World and Europe and Asia competition, it is being held outside Prague. Mbombela is the city honoured with the opportunity to host.
The province welcomed contestants from 11 countries. Since last Friday they have been travelling the province and experiencing the local culture and scenery.
For the majority of the contestants, as well as their entourages, it is the very first time that they have visited South Africa. A big highlight for the contestants were when they visited the Kruger National
Park on Tuesday. Miss Deaf Israel, Moriya Almkiass, said she enjoyed meeting the other contestants from the various counties and that the people of South Africa were beautiful and hospitable. With the help of interpreter Ronel Maree, she explained that seeing an elephant and a giraffe was a highlight for her. “The food here is also very delicious, although the climate is not that different than where I am from.”
Kanjana Phimpa, Thailand’s representative, agreed that the experience in the KNP was one that she would not soon forget. “It was beautiful. I loved watching all the trees and animals. It is all very different from my culture.”
It was not only the ladies who were excited. Mister Deaf Taiwan, Huang TsanHui, said it was a privilege to learn so much about the animals and to experience nature in such a beautiful way.
“It is very different than what I am used to. It is like two seasons in one day here, but we also got to see the most beautiful sunset.”
The Mister Deaf World winner of 2018, Jan Emmer, also accompanied the group to South Africa to assist with signing for some of the contestants and to guide them through the process. “The grass here is so green, and I enjoy the delicious variety of food.” Lodge, NHS, Tindlovu, Sandra Jacobs, Swift Elektries, Lowveld National Botanical Garden Sanbi, Ambassador Foods, Mugg & Bean Lower Sabie, ECoaches, Glassfit, Naledi Zwane, Communio, AVS, Timeless Financial Consultants, Ramps-To-Runway, Creative Brains, Two Red Pens, Gemla Holdings, Aspirations Decor Hire!, Touch Of Glamour, Ronel Maree, Ladz Couture, Mrs Mpumalanga, The Treatment Room, SANParks, Hotel Numbi and Garden Suites (part of Hazyview Hospitality Group), Nextrend Financial and Business Consulting and J&J Legal. According to Jansen van Rensburg, the contestants also managed to raise 800 Euros for the Mrs Mpumalanga Foundation, which will be donated to a charity of their choice.