WATCH: Allen Grove’s Bryoni is a Miss SA 2018 finalist
Bryoni Govender is an Allen Grove resident and an LLB Law student at the University of Johannesburg.
The Miss South Africa 2018 crown might come to home soil thanks to Kempton Park beauty Bryoni Natalie Govender (21), who made it into the top 12.
The announcement was made on Thursday and the Kempton Park community was crossing fingers for two of its own as Glen Marais’ Michelle Howell (24) had also made the top 28 regional qualifiers.
Michelle, a former Hoërskool Birchleigh learner, who is now an evening wear designer, didn’t make the top 12 cut.
Bryoni, a third year LLB law student at the University of Johannesburg, is a step closer to realising her dream.
“Miss South Africa has always been my heart’s desire and to be afforded this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is truly humbling as there were many beautiful girls who auditioned as well. I feel my efforts and hard work are paying off,” said Bryoni.
“Winning Miss SA would be a goal and a childhood dream fulfilled for me; and for many others that have big dreams and feel it’s unachievable. I started modelling at the age of 14 and have loved it ever since.”
With seven years in the modelling industry, Bryoni has been crowned Miss Junior SA 2013, Miss Gauteng 2015 and Eastgate Look of Fashion 2017.
She loves reading and when asked about her hobbies, the Allen Grove resident mentioned baking as one.
“Baking and dancing are some of the things I enjoy doing in my spare time. I am a full-time volunteer at MES Kempton Park. I feel that, where possible, we need to try and find time out of our busy schedules and do something for others and help those in need,” said Bryoni.
“I have always been involved in community upliftment and that is why I am a volunteer at MES, to assist human beings with their basic right to a healthy meal, among other things. I also aided in the sponsorship for kit for Tembisa Cricket Club.”
Humility and selflessness are some of the words that describe Bryoni and are evident in her desire to use the crown to help and assist others.
“Among other things, I want to use the Miss SA platform to continue with community upliftment programmes and work on a larger scale where I can reach out to more people and encourage others to get more involved in such programmes.
“As an aspiring lawyer, my mandate is to educate people about their rights and advocate for equality and self-righteousness. I know the crown can grant me that opportunity,” shared Bryoni.
Aishwarya Rai is one of Bryoni’s role models and the one person she would like to meet.
Bryoni took time to share advice for the youth, aspiring models and young women: “Don’t ever give up on your beliefs and goals, believe in yourself and everyone else will believe in you. Don’t let other people or anything else stop you from working hard at achieving your desires. Anything is possible, as long as you also believe it.
“Love everything about yourself and be willing to try new things, face challenges and excel beyond your expectations. Remember this: a man who says he can and a man who says he can’t, are usually both right.
Her favourite meal is lamb curry and rice and she concluded by saying: “It’s important to realise that little decisions all culminate towards achieving that dream. I will become that person that can lead by example to achieve anything. To put it simply, reality is what dreams are made of. If you can dream it and believe in it, you can achieve it.”
