Last night, all eyes were on the Sun City Superbowl in Gauteng as Miss South Africa 2017 was announced. Crowd favourite Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters stole the show. The 21-year-old BCom Business Management and Entrepreneurial Studies student hails from Sedgefield, right her in the Western Cape. Finalists Adè van Heerden and Boipelo Mabe were crowned first and second princess respectively at the 59th edition of the annual beauty pageant.
As the new Miss South Africa, Demi-Leigh will represent the country at both Miss World and Miss Universe, and be involved in promotional work and celebrity appearances. But she doesn’t walk away empty-handed either – the Miss SA pageant is one of the richest in the world and Demi-Leigh’s title includes a R1 million cash prize fro sponsors Sun International and Cell C, a Nissan Juke, professional impressions image and etiquette training, medical and insurance cover, make-up and jewellery from Jack Friedman, hair treatments, dental care, clothing, dry cleaning, grooming services, luggage and fragrances.
The Top 12 finalists also all received R25 000 in cash, while Varsity College has donated 12 bursaries valued at R44 000 for Miss South Africa to award to disadvantaged students and Women Empowered donated training and workshops worth R80 000 for her to help empower other women.
This year’s pageant was also the first in its history where members of the public were invited to vote for their favourite semi-finalist to help her get into the Top 12.
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Photography Frennie Shivambu/Gallo images