Local beauty among SA‘s most gorgeous

The top 12 Miss SA 2014 contestants were introduced officially on 3 February during an event held in Buccleuch, Johannesburg and former Krugersdorp High pupil Caylene Marais (23) made the cut.

Caylene since has turned heads when she featured on a show titled Road to Miss SA aimed at introducing the finalists to South African viewers.

Road to Miss SA is aired over a period of six weeks during which contestants will be taking part in a number of tasks and interviews leading to the main event at Sun City on Sunday 30 March.

The Road to Miss SA is screened each Sunday on Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161) at 5.30pm.

More about Caylene:

Occupation?

I have just completed my BA Languages degree in English, majoring in copywriting and editing at the University of Pretoria. I started this degree with a passion for language and writing, only to find that editing is where my talent really lies. Other than that, I have internationally recognised master’s qualifications in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), hypnotherapy and timeline therapy. Combining these two elements has placed me at the head of communications for the World Shakers History Makers organisation.

Previous beauty competitions/ pageants won?

I am an avid pageant “poppie” as they say. I have won several, my most recent being Miss Million Dollar 2012 and Miss Rivonia 2013.

Why do you want to be Miss SA and what do you think you will be able to bring to the role?

My life has changed drastically over the past two or three years. Through my NLP and metaphysics studies, and having qualified as a life coach, I have learnt many life lessons and principles in which I believe. If given a large enough platform, I could completely change society. Many of our youth have the basics to survive, and there are many charities that provide these basics, but so many neglect to acknowledge that emotional starvation is more severe than anything else. Above that, people need not only receive food, water and shelter, but they also need an opportunity to grow and change their environment. As Miss SA, my goal is to empower South Africans with the emotional, spiritual and mental tools to enable them to rise above their circumstances and grow into successful citizens and content human beings.

Who are your role models?

I am fortunate enough to have met several of the most inspirational people – not only in South Africa, but in the world. I constantly seek inspiration and because of this, I have learned that there is not one single person who completely embodies all the traits that inspire me. I value everyone who crosses my path for their contribution to my learning.

Tell us a bit more about your family?

I believe that in any family, if you put all the members in a blender and blend them together you would end up with a perfectly neutral concoction. You all end up balancing each other’s different (and sometimes opposite), personalities. This is certainly the case in my family with my mom, dad and younger brother.

What do you do in your spare time?

I enjoy being outdoors whenever possible; any outdoor activity tops my list, specifically camping, hiking and horse-riding. I am a gym fanatic. Fitness is very important to me so I make sure that I make time for training too.

2014 is the year in which SA celebrates its 20th year of democracy – what does that mean to you?

I was raised in a household where colour never was acknowledged. People were not black or white, people were people, and all were to be treated with equal respect and dignity. The celebration of our 20th year of democracy, to me, is simply the celebration of the formalisation of what I always was taught to believe. The only difference now is that those marginalised South Africans have been afforded the opportunity to exercise that belief both publically and politically.

What is your message to young girls and young women in South Africa?

You are everything you need! You are the solution!

If you won the Miss SA crown and were able to meet one person, who would it be and why?

I would love the opportunity to have a conversation with Patrice Motsepe. I don’t believe that our generation is aware of the massive contribution he has made, and continues to make, to our country.

What is the one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I find that because of my history in pageants, and the stereotypes that are associated with pageant girls, people find it surprising that I have a brain and (on occasion) a personality! Also, I have represented my province in judo, water polo and horse-riding. Lastly, I am not double, but triple-jointed.