Search begins for Miss SA 2016

The search for Miss South Africa 2016 has begun.

Cell C will continue as the headline sponsor for the Miss South Africa pageant, along with license holders Sun International. The telecoms operator first became involved in the Miss South Africa pageant when Rolene Strauss was crowned Miss South Africa. She later went on to become Miss World.

Cell C was closely involved in the entire rebranding of Miss South Africa in a campaign aimed at making the pageant more relevant in today’s society.

This year’s Miss South Africa, Liesl Laurie, has undertaken a number of important roles for the company, including being an ambassador for its recent Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Day movement.

Ms Suzette van der Merwe, the executive commercial communications officer for Cell C, said the Miss South Africa brand aligns well with Cell C’s on-going strategy to empower women.

“Our goal has always been to support bold, confident and beautiful young women who have the power to inspire a nation and make a difference. We have done this through our Cell C Foundation, which includes both a bursary fund and mentoring programme for young women. The Miss South Africa titleholders have been involved in these important initiatives and have proved a huge inspiration to many young women throughout the country.”

For the past two years, the Miss South Africa finalists were also offered an internship at Cell C to learn valuable business skills.

The search is now on for the young woman who will follow in the footsteps of Rolene Strauss and Liesl Laurie to become one of the most recognisable faces in the country.

Entries close on August 31.

The Miss South Africa finale will take place in March 2016, when current incumbent Liesl Laurie will hand over the crown to her successor.

Her successor will have a chance to represent her country and compete in the Miss World or Miss Universe pageants.

“Sun International and Cell C are both determined to help make a significant change in the lives of young women in this country and show them that anything is possible through dedication, hard work and passion,” said Ms van der Merwe.

It is a sentiment echoed by Ms Claudia Henkel, the PR manager for Sun International.

“We look forward to finding another powerful ambassador for the Miss South Africa brand and are delighted that Cell C is once again on board,” said Ms Henkel.