In the final episode of Crown Chasers, the Top 11 contestant had a chance to tell the judges why they deserve to be crowned Miss SA 2024. The contestants had a five minute timed chance to tell us why.
As we approach the finale, IOL shines the spotlight on the Top 11 beauties who will be competing for the crown on August 10.
What characteristics as a mother set you apart from the rest and other contestants?
Layla Zoubair said: “Being compassionate. When you are a mother, it’s by nature to love and to care, and I think this is the reason why I work with a non-profit organisation because I feel for the other mothers.
“I know what it feel like to not be able to provide for yourself, and so when you are a mother you have this ability to be compassionate, be empathetic, to care for others. So I would say that I think that sets me apart from everyone.”
If you could have one wish for South Africa, what would it be?
Taahira Katz said: “For equal opportunities in education. I have always wanted a better education for myself and my peers.
“Many of my friends didn't have the opportunities to further their studies and I think therefore would be like many opportunities would come, and many people who do bad things could be saved by education, because it gives a consciousness in a manner to which we act, and carry ourselves in a greater whole.”
Why do you think pageantry is so misunderstood and how can we rectify that?
Lebohang Khoza said: “I think the one aspect of pageantry that a lot of people do not get is beauty standards.
“So when they look at pageantry, they look at it as, she’s just pretty and that's why she made it through. But there is so much mental work, so much physical work that goes into it.
“And I think it's the education part of beauty standards, and all that goes into pageantry work that we need to offer in the world, and Crown Chasers is doing that.”
If you are a CEO of an organisation, and you have to retrench people. Would you rather cut costs or let people go?
Kebalepile Ramafoko said: “Where we’re standing right now in South Africa, our unemployment rate is sky high.
“And if I was CEO of a company and just letting people go without actually looking at other areas to actually cut costs, it would mean that I am adding more problems to what we already have.
“So it’s very important that we start looking at other areas in the company, cut costs first and if it's not effective then obviously we will put in section 189 into place.”
Do you think you walked in here a completely different woman and what has changed about you?
Chidimma Adetshina said: “When I walked in here I was the underdog. I felt like my light was very dim and I feel like I was hiding in the shadows because I didn't want to do too much and never would I ever thought that I would be standing here.
“Speaking in front of amazing powerful women, representing the country. It is so huge for me and I know that I'm going to use my voice and I know I'm working on it. I’m not perfect but there is still room for improvement.”
Do you think you are born a Miss SA or do you think a Miss SA can be moulded and guided into becoming Miss SA?
Kirsten Khan said: “I believe a woman is born with instilled integrity, a moral compass and everything that’s instilled within her from a young age, and through experiences she had to endure, and how she chose to act out those experiences is what a Miss South Africa is.
“What the organisation does is just to help groom us into the way in which we should portray ourselves in such a way to get our message delivered to the world.”
A former Miss Universe once said the crown is heavy, and the sash is heavy but the even heavier responsibility to do something impactful. What impact do you think you could have in South Africa should you become Miss SA?
Mia Le Roux said: “I can make a big impact by creating a space for people where everyone has a sense of belonging because I know what it feels like. So I think when you believe and you know what it feels like, you really will go that extra mile.”
We have 77 executives on the committee in terms of ministers and deputy ministers, do you know what percentage of that are female?
Nompumelelo Maduna said: “It really excites that it has gone up between 15 and 50 percent. And it’s incredible to see that Siviwe (Gwarube) is one of the youngest ministers currently in the cabinet. I love that.
“She is really paving the way for us to see what we can achieve, and I really look forward to working with her one day because she is a representative of the youth and that's where we need to focus.”
Why do you think it is important for young people to know and understand current affairs?
Ontshiametse Tlhopane said: “Basically, we are creating our own future. And I think as young people we underestimate the power that we have.
“For example, with our government, with the government of national unity, I don't think we have fully grasped just how much it's going to change the trajectory of our country and that affects us.
“So it's important to always have an understanding of what is going on now and how it will affect us in future so that we can always interact with it.”
If you could change one thing in the country, what would you change and why?
Palesa Lombard said: “It would be that everyone was happy. As someone that has struggled with mental illness before, I would emplore our leaders to take mental illness more seriously.
“It's the third biggest killer in adolescence today, and that's not acceptable. I ask for people to open up resources, make mental health care accessible for everyone because currently it is not.
“It's too expensive, its inaccessible and there is a lot of stigmatisation around it.”
How do you come back from a setback?
Onalenna Constantin said: “I am somebody that was violated as a child. I was raped. I am somebody that has been in abusive relationships. I grew up in a tumultuous home, where it forced me to be homeless.
“And I bounced back like a queen. When I say I am an embodiment of resilience, I don't just say it from a place of, just an embodiment, but I mean it because I am somebody that has gone through so much, but I came back stronger than ever, and that is the story that I want to teach a lot of young girls and women.”
The next Miss SA 2024 will be crowned at the SunBet Arena on Saturday, August 10.
IOL