GEORGE NEWS & VIDEOS - The two most beautiful women in South Africa both hail from one the most beautiful parts of the world - right from the heart of the Garden Route.
Unfortunately there can only be one winner, and former Outeniqua High head girl, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters from Sedgefield, was crowned Miss SA 2017 at Sun City on Sunday 26 March. Medical doctor, Adè van Heerden from Herolds Bay, was crowned first princess and Boipelo Mabe from Alexandra in Gauteng came third.
The 21-year-old Nel-Peters, a B.Com business management and entrepreneurship graduate from the North-West University in Potchefstroom, started her reign on Monday when she received the keys of her brand new Nissan Juke.
Her prizes, valued at more than R2-million, includes a R1-million cheque. Outgoing Miss South Africa, Ntandoyenkosi Kunene, handed over her crown to the new winner.
In her acceptance speech Nel-Peters vowed to dedicate the next 365 days of my life to serve the people of South Africa. "To be a voice to those who are afraid to or cannot speak up and to represent the whole of our beautiful nation. I vow to listen, to be there, to help where I can and to recognise that we all want to be heard, we all want to be validated. I hear you, I see you, I am you!"
For the first time in the history of the pageant, members of the public were invited to vote for the finalist they thought should take the crown.
Nel-Peters told the George Herald on Monday: "My first words are, thank you and thank you again to everyone in the Garden Route for carrying me through this exciting chapter of my life and thank you for voting for me. I received over a thousand wonderful WhatsApp messages of encouragement in the first 24-hours."
Nel-Peters, who matriculated in 2013, was also the deputy junior mayor of George. Outeniqua High principal Christo Vorster, said everyone at the school is incredibly proud of the former Kwagga. "To use the old cliche: her inner beauty shines through. She is a kind, giving, caring person who lights up any room with her presence. She embodies everything that Outeniqua High's teachers strive to instill in our learners."
Her mother, Anne-Marie Steenkamp and stepfather, Johan said Demi-Leigh is a product of a very happy divorce. "She has four very proud and dedicated parents and is a wonderful and loving daughter who knows what she wants in life."
Her father, Benni Peters and stepmother Elsabé, told the George Herald: "We have always had faith in Demi-Leigh, she is a very special girl and will serve our country in the best way possible."
The Steenkamps were travelling back from Sun City on Tuesday. "We are on our way to Johannesburg where we will spend the next two days helping Demi-Leigh set up her official Miss SA home for the next year."
When Demi- Leigh comes home in April, hearts in Sedgefield, the first accredited Cittaslow Slow Town in Africa and the headquarters of the African slow town movement, is sure to be racing as they meet their very own Miss SA.
If you can't be there in person to meet her, don't worry, Pasella will cover and broadcast the visit.
Watch two videos below:
What a welcome! The then future Miss SA, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters from Sedgefield, visited her alma mater, Outeniqua High on Friday 3 March. Nel-Peters, former Kwagga head girl and Deputy Junior Mayor of George, was crowned Miss SA 2017 at Sun City on Sunday. Read the full story on page 2. Photo: Myron Rabinowitz.
Click here for previous articles:
• The George Herald launched a huge print and online campaign encouraging readers to vote for Nel-Peters and Van Heerden via SMS which counted 25%. Journalist Myron Rabinowitz, who led the campaign, personally voted 50 times for each contestant in his personal capacity to ensure they made it into the top 6. Well done Myron!
ARTICLE: MYRON RABINOWITZ, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
VIDEO: WESSEL VAN HEERDEN
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