Volksrust beauty crowned Miss South Africa
She was crowned at a glittering ceremony held at the Sun City Superbowl, presented by Sun International and sponsored by Cell C.
Rolene Strauss, who hails from Volksrust, was crowned Miss South Africa on 30 March.
She was crowned at a glittering ceremony held at the Sun City Superbowl, presented by Sun International and sponsored by Cell C.
The runners-up are Ziphozakhe Zokufa from the Eastern Cape (first princess) and Limpopo’s Matlala Mokoko (second princess).
An excited and overwhelmed Strauss, a medical student currently living in Bloemfontein, said she was truly humbled and grateful to win the title and to be the first to wear the glittering new Palesa crown designed for the pageant.
In her Miss South Africa acceptance speech Strauss said: “Oh, how I love South Africa!
” I can live, speak, learn and love freely.
“My dreams are developed and become reality here.
“Our country is my pride and my purpose has and will always lie within it.”
“Not only does the Miss South Africa title have the ability to take me places, but I will also learn from the women who walked this path before me.
“I am who I am today because of our country and the opportunities I have received from her generous hand.
“For me this will be a year of giving back, giving thanks and being a true example of the potential women and all South Africans can have in our country.”
Sun International’s Ms Alison McKie said: “I think the new Miss South Africa is truly representative of the rainbow nation and we are sure she will go on to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of many South Africans as this country celebrates 20 years of democracy.”
Ms Suzette van der Merwe, Executive: Commercial Communications of Cell C said: “Congratulations to the newly crowned Miss South Africa.
“Rolene embodies Cell C’s ‘Believe’ manifesto – that if you can dream it, you can achieve it.
“At Cell C our vision is to support bold, confident and beautiful women. “May this year’s winner inspire a nation and make a difference.”
The Miss South Africa judges were Amy Kleinhans-Curd, crowned Miss South Africa in 1992, magazine editor, poet and writer, Kojo Baffoe, TV presenter, model and cosmetics brand ambassador, Bonang Matheba, high-profile radio personality and TV presenter, Anele Mdoda and Pnina Fenster, editor of Glamour magazine.
As Miss South Africa, Strauss has won money, a car and products valued at more than R1.3 million.
She also gets thousands of rands in money and study bursaries to award to South Africans that she meets during her reign.
Cell C is also giving the winner access to R200 000 to spend on random acts of kindness.
