[PHOTOS] Matrics show off at farewell expo

A farewell expo at which matrics could show off their beautiful dresses and stylish suits was held to raise funds for the Annabel Foundation to help high school girls meet their basic needs.

October 28, 2019

Jaco Human 1 minute read

Friends Nina Smith, Chantelle Botha, Venouchka Gouws and Emma Witthuhn supported this cause together.

Ten days before the Annabel Foundation’s first-ever Matric Spectacular and Expo was set to take place, Annemarie Carney still needed to fill 190 seats and only had about 20 contestants. She didn’t know what to do, except pray.

Two weeks earlier, the event had a venue, but the cost was far higher than they could pay as they would’ve made only R5 000 for the entire night. Annemarie sat down with Mount Usambara’s owners, Philip and Liezel Scheepers and explained their problem. When they heard exactly what the Annabel Foundation is doing for school girls, they told her not to worry about anything, and promised to sponsor the venue and catering. Soon, the entries shot up to 70 matrics and 310 guests.

Zander Jansen van Vuuren and Venouchka Gouws won the Best out of the Box Couple category. Photo: Jaco Human.

Matrics from all over the West Rand came together for one more opportunity to show off their fabulous farewell dresses and fashionable suits. This time, the spotlight was just on them as they walked the runway with style, grace and personality to boot.

There were loads of categories for each kind of dress for the girls, such as Daring but Different, Elegance and Diamonds, and Lace. Among the categories for the young men were Men Have it All, and Daring but Different. In the end, only one guy and girl could be crowned the evening’s king and queen. Hulisani Chief Netshiawha made the runway his own with an attitude that lit a fire among the judges, and was crowned Mr Matric Spectacular 2019.

Armand Jacobs and Tekara Fourie won the couples category.

The competition was tough but, in the end, no one was surprised when the stunning Venouchka Gouws was crowned Miss Matric Spectacular 2019, in addition to being chosen as winner of the Daring but Different, and Best out of the Box Couple categories.

Proceeds from the event will go toward helping the Annabel Foundation provide much-needed sanitary products for girls in Monument High School and Hoërskool Noordheuwel who don’t have the means to buy them themselves. Farewell outfits donated to the project will also go towards helping girls to attend their farewells in the coming years.