GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Thousands of visitors are expected to flock to Sedgefield on Sunday 28 January when the town rolls out the red carpet to welcome home its favourite daughter, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, Miss Universe 2017, for a few hours.
This is Demi-Leigh's first visit back to South Africa since being crowned Miss Universe on 26 November 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Her whistle-stop tour includes official welcomes at both OR Tambo and Cape Town International airports; a street parade in Sedgefield; an experience at South Africa's most prestigious horse-racing event The Sun Met, as well as a meeting with dignitaries at Cell C's head office.
Nel-Peters made history when she became the second South African to win the sought-after and prestigious crown, the first being Margaret Gardiner who won the pageant in 1978.
A carnival atmosphere is expected at her former primary school, Sedgefield Primary, where the street parade is expected to begin (at about 15:00) and end.
Demi-Leigh will be available for photos and depending on time constraints, a meet-and-greet session on the school's sport field.
Her mother Anne-Mari Steenkamp said, "This is for the people of the region who just want to say, 'Hi Demi'."
She will also revisit victims of the Knysna fires who were beneficiaries of her fund-raising efforts for disaster relief in 2017.
Nel-Peters says she is thrilled to officially return home.
"I can't begin to express my gratitude and how proud I am to represent our country as Miss Universe.
"Being a global ambassador is as much a responsibility as it is an honour.
Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters in New York.
"Our nation is comprised of many different backgrounds and cultures, one of the many things that make me immensely proud to be a South African.
"I am very excited to celebrate this achievement with my people in the spirit of Mzansi."
ARTICLE: MYRON RABINOWITZ, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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