Perseverance pays off for Kempton’s Miss Tourism beauty queen

KEMPTON Park’s very own Miss Tourism recently jetted off to China for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Cindy-Lee Burrell, co-owner and modelling teacher at Model Manifest Kempton Park, travelled to China in December last year after being invited to take part in the Miss Tourism 2016 World final competition.

“Modelling is in my blood. My mother, Susan Myburgh, was also a pageant queen and when she was blessed with two daughters, my sister Lindie and I, she entered us into pageants from a young age,” the 26-year-old says.

Lindie is a former Miss Teen South Africa Universal 2015/6 winner.

“Being well-travelled, the Miss Tourism competition was on my bucket list from day one. It fits my personality and who I am, having travelled to seven different countries prior to entering,” the dynamic and passionate Burrell explains.

In 2015 she entered Miss Tourism but didn’t even make top 3. But the ambitious student (she is almost done with her BA Criminology degree) persevered and tried her luck again last year.

“In May 2016 I entered again. By the grace of God, they announced I won the title. And right there and then everything I worked for had finally paid off!”

Nevertheless, her journey did not come easy. In August last year Burrell, who works in the global logistics field, was asked to represent South Africa at the Miss Model of the World competition in China.

“But after about three weeks I got thrown out of the competition because the organisers said I was overweight. Even after that unfortunate incident I continued to hold my head high, knowing that my dream of competing on the international stage and representing my country will someday come true.”

Indeed it did, and in November the determined Burrell received a call to represent South Africa at the Miss Tourism City Championship / Miss Tourism World competition in China.

“I had just four weeks to get ready for the competition. Luckily I received help from a few sponsors. Crossfit Kempton Park and Sonya Carrack helped me with training, Tarien from Kyna Consili sponsored my national costume and evening gown, Stash Venter, now at Young Nails Benoni, sponsored my nails, and I received a very generous R10 000 from Flip Hennop from Voorwaarts Game Breeders to buy new clothes and accessories.”

She departed for China on December 27 and was joined by 40 other women from different countries. And needless to say, they were treated like queens.

“Our faces were on every second billboard and we had press around us every day. We even had police escorts with us wherever we went. Our days consisted of travelling to local tourist destinations, shopping, visiting sponsors, fashion shows, photo shoots and rehearsals. We were overwhelmed with gifts in China. Luggage space became a problem and we all had to purchase extra baggage,” she recalls with excitement.

“Some of the cities we visited include Shanghai, Nantong and Taizhou. My most exciting moment was when I tasted scorpion for the first time at a local market!”

The ladies also travelled in style with dedicated transport for events, which included buses, Porsches and Range Rovers.

Although she did not make it into the top 3, Burrell says she was not disappointed.

“Winning the title will never compare to the experience I had and the people I met and the memories created with them while in China. I gained so much knowledge and I now see local pageants though a different point of view,” she reflects with maturity.

The beauty queen will be handing over her Miss Tourism crown soon on March 4. Next she has set her eyes on the Ms Africa title.