Hot mgosi & celebs
A global showstopper
What a spectacle! The Miss SA competition is breaking all beauty and pageant stereotypes. Something beautiful is happening on that stage and the world wants to secure a front row seat to witness it.
On Saturday, global attention was on South Africa as Shudufhadzo Musida bid farewell to her reign and crowned the new queen, Lalela Mswane, at the Grand Arena of Grand West Casino in Cape Town.
And my, the Miss SA organisers pulled out all the stops to showcase the most progressive pageant in the world.
The entertainment for the evening made a big statement. The Ndlovu Youth Choir is world-renowned having reached the final stage of talent show America’s Got Talent competition in 2019. The choir this week made headlines with its rendition of Adele’s new single Easy on Me, which was released last week to world wide fanfare.
Zakes Bantwini’s latest hit Osama has been enjoying attention internationally with one of the world’s biggest DJS, American Diplo (real name Thomas Wesley Pentz) giving it a nod during one of his sets earlier this month.
And award-winning gospel singer Ntokozo Mbambo is a powerhouse with a voice that reverberated throughout all corners of the globe.
Miss SA is undoubtedly the benchmark for hosting a national pageant. Even the guest list is testament to the fact that the world takes SA seriously when it comes to beauty pageants. In attendance were the most influential women in the pageant world today.
Chair of Miss World Julia Morley was among special guests. SA first Miss Universe winner Margaret Gardiner, who won the title in 1978, also attended, while Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray were backstage presenters.
Also among the guests was reigning Miss Universe Andrea
Meza from Mexico; Miss
World Toni-ann Singh from Jamaica and Miss Supranational Chanique Rabe from across the border in Namibia. A quick look at the website of Miss USA and Miss SA gives a very clear idea of what South Africa is doing with the competition.
The US describes the Miss USA competition as a “globally recognised pageant platform that celebrates the unique beauty of women across cultures”. It goes further to say “beyond well-known, we remain relevant to mainstream culture, as we connect young women to their own beauty and help activate their voice”.
The Miss SA website calls ours “a leadership platform for ambitious young South African women.” It goes further to say: “Through a pageantry process, contestants receive world-renowned coaching in addition to advanced networking, business and life skills. Shaped into brand ambassadors for our country, they become champions of women’s rights, thought leaders and savvy career women who inspire other young South Africans to fulfil their potential, recognise their self-worth and find their place in the world.”
The judging panel was also a nod to the remarkable platform that the competition has become. Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach was joined by renowned academic and University of Cape Town vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng, media personality Dineo Ranaka, businesswoman Basetsana Kumalo and medical doctor Tamaryn Green, and celebrated actress Shannon Esra.
Shwa knows CEOS of state-owned enterprises who cannot even get a minister to attend their conferences to either welcome guests, offer the keynote address or just show up to say, “this event is important” in South Africa’s work to realise the objectives of the National Development Plan.
When you are spending more than a million of taxpayers’ money and there’s no minister in sight – or a world-renowned expert to support that jamboree, serious questions need to be asked by the public. But Shwa is digressing. Back to the most progressionist pageant in the world.
The Miss SA “leadership competition” is making waves and the world is taking notes on how to showcase beauty, diversity and tourism in one event.
Amapiano sensation De Mthuda, real name Mthuthuzeli Khoza, hosted a listening session for his upcoming album titled Landlord at Universal.
The man of the moment was in high spirits last week, rocking his Xmas clothes and smelling good. He gave such a nice performance and I will be the first to admit his album is a banger, maybe because it has my favourite song Jola.
• Though there was a shortage of famous faces, Shwa spotted amapianio vocalist Nobantu Vilakazi, who was all smiles. I will wait until her first fat pay cheque. I remember telling people that Bonang Matheba was humble when she was new in the industry, turned out I was wrong. If you don’t believe, ask her former personal assistants, publicists, photographers, crew and many more.
• Back to nice people, it was lovely to meet Scandal’s Nomvelo Makhanya. Shwa is not sure what else to say about Makhanya, who plays Lindiwe in the soapie, except to say she is simple. Next gig … !
So, off Shwa went to a Castle Lite event. The brand was announcing that they are switching to brew their extra cold refreshment with renewable electricity – any reason to party, right?
At least they are better than politicians – they have our interests at heart.
The party was held at Sandton Rooftop – you can tell when a company is doing well by the kind of party it throws.
People were dressed to the nines and the bar icy cold after all the heat in Gauteng.
• Shwa was happy to spot the face of the brand, rapper Nomuzi “Moozlie” Mabena, and her plus-one, who also happens to be her man and manager Sbuda Motloung. Imagine being a beer face! But go get your money girl, it is not written beer money after all.
Is it me or Moozlie and Sbuda who are always out and out? I even doubt they do boring things other couples do like writing a grocery list because they’re always at events. Save your money, guys. I must admit that I am a fan of their fashion style – they were the best-dressed couple.
• Still on couples; rapper Rouge and her boyfriend also made it a date, sitting in the VIP section and looking all important.
• Radio deejay Ayanda MVP (Phindile Ayanda Mdluli) did a great job as the host. The girl was born for the stage. I love her energy and always looking forward to seeing her work.
• Zakes Bantwini, who is the hottest entertainer at the moment, brought all of us on stage when he started playing his hit song Osama. What a fabulous song!
Shwa also went to the Vaal to attend the announcement of the sports stars and media darlings that have been nominated for this year’s Gauteng Sports Awards. I arrived at the Riviera on the Vaal hotel to find a marimba band made up of cute short men playing. And boy did they play for a long time.
• Bumped into sports anchor Motshidisi Mohono trying so hard to work her heels into the room where the 40-yearold cutie Lulo Cafe was playing. It’s always good to see the older generation still playing good music for youngsters.
• The gorgeous Nobuhle “Mimi” Mahlasela was bright in a short and cute blue number and All Star tekkies. The event finally kicked off after Shwa being forced to make small talk and smile with strangers.
• Mpho Letsholonyane was the MC and did a stellar job.
The event was littered with speakers from the department of sports, arts, culture and recreation but their principal, the MEC for sports in Gauteng, Mbali Hlophe, came out and represented. She was sporty in sneakers, pants and a loose striped shirt, but honey, that make-up was laid. She literally jumped onto the stage before the finalists were finally revealed.
• It was lovely to see finalists from categories you don’t normally see attending. The Sports Fans of the Year finalists were there in all their colour and glory.
We finally got to eat and drink soft drinks. Guys, couldn’t you find a sponsor for five bottles of gin? Otherwise, it was a lovely outing out of Joburg and we can’t wait to see who will be on that red carpet next month.