The young lady who walks away with the title of Miss Ballito 2021 will need to have more than just a pretty face. We found out more about the pageant and this year’s top 10 finalists.
A desire to make a difference, being confident and goal-driven and having a strong passion for community are amongst the criteria that will be considered when the judges hand over the crown and title of Miss Ballito on the crowning evening next month.
The Miss Ballito pageant is the biggest fundraising event of the year for Zimbali Rotary. The contestants not only raise money for the charity organisation by securing financial sponsors, but they are also required to start their own sustainable, community-based projects. “Their chosen project is one of the biggest parts of the judging criteria,” says pageant coordinator Heidie Smith. “The girls are not only judged on how pretty they look on the crowning evening.”
The initial, interview round has already taken place and Heidie says the judges chose their top 10 finalists after meeting each entrant individually. This year’s judges are North Coast Courier publisher and founder Bruce Stephenson, Enterprise Ilembe acting CEO Cheryl Peters, actress and artist Hannah Grobler, entrepreneur Ann van Jaarsveld and KwaDukuza head lifeguard, international surfing judge and surfing SA vice president Bongani Xulu.
“The top 10 finalists were chosen based on how they presented themselves, their confidence, their goals and passions and their interest in and desire to help the community.”
During the next stage of the pageant, the girls will go through an induction and mentor programme where they will participate in workshops and be taught a number of life skills, from life coaching to goal setting to advice on healthy living and exercise.
Each contestant has to find two financial sponsors (all proceeds go towards Zimbali Rotary and The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund) and they have to come up with and implement their sustainable, community-based project. There will be a cocktail evening on 15 July at The Marigold in Ballito, followed by the final crowning evening on 6 August at the Simbithi Country Club. Members of the public can buy tickets to either of these events. There is also a prize for the contestant who gets the most votes on social media.
Details: For more information or tickets to the cocktail or crowning evening, or to become a sponsor for one of the contestants, contact Heidie on: [email protected]
Meet the girls
Photos: STUDIO 8 PHOTOGRAPHY & HELEN MILLAR PHOTOGRAPHY
