Managing Executive Dr Bandile
Mkhize poses with the best girls who
reached the “top three” in
the Miss KNP Beauty Pageant
By Laura Mukwevho
Managing Executive Dr Bandile
Mkhize poses with the best girls who
reached the “top three” in
the Miss KNP Beauty Pageant
It was camera clicks and a lively music tempo as the girls came on stage, strutting their wares and moving to the music and cheers from well-wishers during the Miss Kruger National Park (KNP) Pageant.
The Miss KNP Pageant was held on Saturday, 27 September 2008 at Skukuza Golf Club and young women of between the ages 18 and 25 qualified for this beauty pageant. Flashing their captivating smiles throughout, the girls captured the audience in their casual, evening, swim and traditional wear.
The pageant in the KNP started a few years ago as part of the local youth development for them to associate themselves with the park. The idea behind this event is to make the park accessible to young people who need to learn more about conservation and become ambassadors of the park.
As last year, the pageant was advertised on Ligwalagwala FM radio station with people such as the Managing Executive, Dr Bandile Mkhize and Miss KNP 2007, Illvia Fredericks being interviewed. Young women from communities such as Malamulele, Venda, Namakgale and Thulamahashe went through a selection process which produced the 12 finalists, who were groomed and participated in the finals.
The girls paraded in casual clothes, traditional attire, swimming costumes and then evening wear. The top six also had to go through the judges’ questions such as “as the ambassador of the KNP, what role will the girls play in enhancing the park if they win?” The highlight was when the finalists battled for the “top three” and the best girls of the day won and received prizes as follows:
Miss KNP 2005, Mathilda Mabuza
congratulates the Miss Kruger
National Park 2008 crowned
Queen, Lufuno Nemathithi
The finalists parade with their
swimwear during the pageant
Miss Personality, Lerato Sekete received a hamper from Nestle. Each of the 12 finalists also received a swimming costume, and 2 pairs of formal shoes and casual wear.
The gratitude went to the sponsors as the event would not have been the success that it was without them. The following sponsors contributed to the success of the event, Tinga Private Lodge, Lingwalagwala FM, Coca Cola, Nestle, Ivory Splendour, Treats Wear, and Execuspecs, Black like Me, Promo Lab, Turning Point, Bar Print. Lesedi Tours, Stoffels & Pashad, Tiger’s Eye, Nashua Lowveld, Xongile Exclusive Office CC, Sue Dazzle, Nandos and BK Investments.
Lufuno Nemathithi (Miss KNP) who comes from Shayandima (Venda) in Limpopo is currently studying for a Financial Management Diploma at the Central Johannesburg College. Proving that her crowning was no token affair, Lufuno has been a runner-up in several beauty pageants such as the Miss Bright Future, Miss Makhado and Miss Venda Plaza in 2005 and 2006.
Still breathless and reeling from the excitement, Lufuno said “I was determined to enter the competition this year and plan to dedicate some of my time to creating awareness of the Kruger National Park to the people of Limpopo”. She has been given a platform to become the ambassador of the park, and emphasized her aim to participate in the park’s upcoming events in 2009. We wish her everything of the best in her endeavours.