Elegant beauties receive accolades

IT WAS an evening filled with pride as Bella Donna honoured its models during their year-end function which was in the form of a fashion show at Café Pavilion on Saturday.

Bella Donna, which has been in existence for the past two years, celebrated and rewarded the models to motivate them to work hard.

Run by Ilse-Mari Viljoen, Bella Donna boasts a number of achievements since its establishment and these include grooming Lavela Godlwana, who is the first princess of Miss South Africa Pre-teen 2013.

Annika de Lange was awarded a trophy and certificate for being the Face of Bella Donna, Michelle Fox went home with an award for best exam, and Marizelle Pretorius received the most improved model award. The most improved advanced award was awarded to Chante Serfontein, Ashley Weideman received the best novice award, the best advanced award was awarded to Melissa Stofberg and Lavela Godlwana received the Model of the Year award.

Viljoen said the agency, which dealt with modelling, photo shoots and beauty pageants had more than 34 models who were all from Limpopo.

“Our agency is a home for anyone who thinks they have what it takes to go into modelling regardless of their background or race. We encourage young girls to join us so they can reach their dreams of making it on catwalks,” she said.

Godlwana said she was going to use the award as a motivation to one day be crowned Miss World.

“I did not expect to win this award, but now that I did, it means I have a long way to go in modelling,” she said.