The Mrs Mpumalanga and Provincial MS pageant hosted its grand gala crowning event at Communio Church on November 1.

Finalists took to the runway to compete for this year’s titles. Karin Stander was crowned Mrs Mpumalanga and Amelia Roux claimed the title of Provincial Mpumalanga MS.

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Roux said receiving the crown was the best feeling in the world and that she is looking forward to giving back to the community. The Mbombelan took the bold step of entering the competition to push her limits and embrace new challenges.

She did some modelling when she was younger but had never competed in a pageant before.

“This experience has taught me to believe in myself and that anything is possible,” she shared. The most difficult part of the competition was learning how to walk with confidence. “You need to walk straight, smile, and not look down, which was quite challenging at first.”

Her grandmother is one of her biggest supporters and innocently said that her greatest wish was to see her granddaughter compete in the pageant. “How could I say no?” Roux laughed. She looks forward to fulfilling her duties and proudly showing her grandmother her crown.

Stander, from Lydenburg, decided to enter the competition to challenge herself and breathe new life into her dreams.

“I would like to utilise this platform to encourage other women to start living life to the fullest again – to use their voices, follow their passions and believe that it is never too late to change.”

She found it challenging at times to balance her roles as mother and wife, and was also recently involved in a car accident.

The accident occurred while she was on her way to a pageant event. Nonetheless, she began to believe in herself again and embraced the journey of self-discovery, growth, and community outreach.

The contestants donned beautiful casual and evening wear and were judged on community outreach, poise and interviews conducted on the evening of the pageant.

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Jacques Lombard, the founder of the competition, designed tops for each contestant in the casual wear segment. Each garment reflected the wearer’s unique personality and style.

The pageant is an annual event with categories for married and unmarried women.