GEORGE NEWS - One of the highlights on the social calendar of the Southern Cape, the Miss Garden Route and Klein Karoo pageant on Saturday at the Pinnacle Point Beach and Golf Resort, lived up to its expectations as an array of celebrities rubbed shoulders with the 12 beautiful finalists, local fashion designers and residents of the area.

Marizanne Visser (18), a matric pupil from Outeniqua High, walked away with the title of Tourism Face of the Southern Cape. This bubbling brunette was crowned by her predecessor, Louise Muller of Mossel Bay.
The runners-up are also from George. The first princess is Venessa Niklaus (21) and second princess Stephnay Saayman (22).
Lillian Jonker (19) of Mossel Bay walked away with the Miss Personality title, Marizanne is Miss Photogenic and Stephnay is Miss Charity. The latter is a new title for the finalist who sells the most tickets for the gala evening.

The celebrities who made an appearance at the event included Brumilda van Rensburg, Natasha Sutherland, Calvyn Gelfillan, CEO of Cape Town Routes Unlimited, Wilma van der Bijl (Miss SA 1987), Dieter Voigt (Mr SA and Pasella presenter), Pepe Sofianos (ex Cosmopolitan fashion editor), Isabella Niehaus (stylist and ex Sarie fashion editor), Deborah Robertson (runner-up in Miss Earth Air 2010), Anton Nortje, marketing head of Die Burger) and Willie Venter (Mr Huisgenoot Skouspel).

The extravaganza, choreographed by Willie Venter, one of the country’s best, wowed the audience and the top artists managed to steal their hearts. Tobi Jooste, Jill Middlekop, George Longane and Winray September and the dance duo from Johannesburg had the audience stamping their feet and singing together.

This annual project aims to raise awareness and funds for four safe houses for battered women and children in the Southern Cape. They are Phambili in George, Malibongwe in Oudtshoorn CEF (Creating Effective Families) in Mossel Bay, and Women Who Care in Knysna. All the money raised by ticket sales are donated to these houses.
The beautiful Janine Rossouw from Malibongwe Safe House was crowned the winner of the shelter’s make-over and the person who had managed to raise above her circumstances.
The other three safe house finalists were Angelina Solomons (Phambili), Jacoline Markgraaff (CEF) and Emmy Josephs (Women Who Care).
The winning dress in the fashion category was designed by Jonica Gubula from Paperdoll in Plettenberg Bay.

Article and photos: Denise Lloyd

View more photos of this event here: http://www.georgeherald.com/gallery.aspx?gpid=170&gid=5


Marizanne Visser (18, naaslinks), ‘n matriekleerling van die Hoërskool Outeniqua, dra die titel Mej. Tuinroete en Klein-Karoo vir 2010. Haar eerste prinses is Venessa Niklaus (21, links), ‘n student aan die NMMU, en tweede prinses Stephnay Saayman (22). Louise Muller (naasregs) het die kroning behartig.