Miss PA wows a sold-out crowd
JON HOUZET
KAELENE Steyn, a Grade 11 pupil at Port Alfred High School, was crowned Round Table/ Miss Port Alfred 2012 at a glittering pageant last Saturday.
"It's still sinking in,” said Kaelene after being chosen from 18 fellow contestants, all of whom impressed the judges and audience with their beauty, style, poise and charm.
The sold-out show opened with a piece choreographed by local entertainer Flame Metter, the 19 girls all fluid motion in blue jeans and white tops.
Addressing the audience in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa, and engaging in light-hearted banter, Stander and Mbuqe also changed outfits in theme with the modelling sections, with Mbuqe coming to the podium in board shorts during the swimsuit section.
The judges for the evening were Lance du Plessis of Algoa FM, Alroy Taai of Stenden South Africa, former professional model Leandi Hempel, Jacqui Tutton of Times Media and Karen Booysen, who also organised the pageant.
They were kept on their toes by the brisk pace of the programme, and keeping track of the 19 lovely contestants.
After showing flair in their casual wear of choice, strutting bravely in swimwear, and bringing on all their glamour in formal evening gowns, the contestants were each asked a different question, and gave some interesting and entertaining answers.
Winner Kaelene was asked to be frank about her best and worst qualities, and said her worst traits were being "quite loud and over-curious”, while her best qualities are "sharing, loving, caring, and being funny and positive”.
Rhodes BSc student Melissa du Randt was crowned first princess. Her question was to tell something about herself, a simple enough question to answer, but possibly daunting in front of an audience of more than 200 people.
Second princess is Khanyisa Daweti, who was asked what the biggest challenge is facing the education system. She responded that the biggest challenge was officials who just occupy positions without making any meaningful contribution.
"We need people to take the youth further,” said Khanyisa, who is the DA branch chairwoman for Ward 7.
"I never expected to win,” said Kaelene. "The best part about this was getting to know all the other girls.”
She said she was indecisive about the casual wear section, so her boyfriend, Wesley Lubbe, picked out clothes for her.
"He was Mr Alberton in Johannesburg and he's modelled in national competitions,” said Kaelene.
She also liked the coincidence that her number in the pageant was 8, the same number as her boyfriend's rugby jersey when he was in matric.
Two days after the pageant Kaelene said it "still seems like a dream”.
"The prizes are mind-boggling. I didn't expect all that,” she said.
Kaelene received a R1 000 cash prize from Talk of the Town; two nights for two at Tsitsikamma Lodge – including dinner and breakfast, Sunday buffet lunch for two and seafood dinner for two at Halyards Hotel – all courtesy of River Hotels; a painting to the value of R2500 from Rosehill Art Gallery; a day spa pamper package worth R1 200 from Mpekweni Beach Resort Spa; a portfolio shoot from Railtime Photography; a day visit to Sibuya Game Reserve for two, including lunch and game drive to the value of R1790; a spa voucher to the value of R280 and lunch for two to the value of R500 at Oceana Beach and Wildlife Resort; a watch and necklace to the value of R850 from The Jewellery Shop; a hamper of beauty products and handbag from Foschini; a gift voucher for a free lesson plus mosaic products to the value of R150 from Mosaic's Fun; a R150 gift voucher from Elsa Barnard Mohair Carpets; admission to Oxygen Fitness till the end of October; and a Glamour Girl Nail & Beauty Spa voucher for R600.
The total value of the Glamour Girl prizes was originally R5 000, but owner Lydia McKay reduced the value of the prizes to R900.
Melissa won a two night stay for two at Tenahead Lodge – including dinner and breakfast, seafood dinner for two at Halyards Hotel – both courtesy of River Hotels; a day spa pamper package worth R545) from Mpekweni Beach Resort Spa; a portfolio photo shoot from Railtime Photography; a silver bracelet worth R350 from The Jewellery Shop; admission to Oxygen Fitness till the end of October; and a Glamour Girl Nail & Beauty Spa voucher for R150.
Khanyisa won Sunday buffet lunch for two at Halyards Hotel; a day spa pamper package worth R345 from Mpekweni Beach Resort Spa; a portfolio shoot from Railtime Photography; silver earrings to the value of R300 from The Jewellery Shop; admission to Oxygen Fitness till the end of October; and a Glamour Girl Nail & Beauty Spa voucher for R150.
