Here are the 12 girls who are being announced today as the finalists for the 2010 Miss SA title.
I recently had the opportunity to sit next to Tatum Keshwar, Miss SA 2008, at a fashion week presentation. What struck me was how hard she must have worked, the sacrifices she must have made, to make her dream a reality — not just for her own self worth, but also as a way to do good for others. And she is hands-down the best ramp walker in SA, bar none. So of course I think she is awesome. It's kind of changed my attitude to the Miss SA competition. So get on board with me and, in honour of these 12 girls and their journey over the next few weeks, have a bit of fun with this Miss SA trivia:
* This is the first year in the history of the Miss South Africa competition that there has been more than one Indian girl in the finals — and there are four! The only Indian winner of Miss South Africa is Kerishnie Naiker (1997);
* Anja van Zyl placed as Miss SA First Princess in 2008 (we love Anja — she is a wonderful ramp model). Also returning from the 2008 pageant is Dorah Mtwetwa;
* Careen Truter was First Princess at the Miss SA Teen competition in 2008;
* Sandhya Naidoo was Second Princess at the Miss SA Teen competition in 2005;
* Natasha Kashimoto was a Miss SA Teen finalist in 2009;
* Chanel Grantham was Miss Earth South Africa 2009. She represented South Africa at the international Miss Earth pageant in The Philippines where she was chosen as part of the Top 15. (I think she is lovely and have my eye on her for a placing)
* Bokang Montjane was Miss Earth South Africa 2007 and the Face of Soweto. She also represented South Africa in the 2009 Miss international pageant.
So who are your favourites and who do you think is going to take home a new sash and crown? Let me know and I can keep an eye on the developing story for you here.