Tukkies girl crowned Miss SA

11 December 2011 - 23:01 By Staff reporter
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Melinda Bam, a 22-year-old commerce student, walked off with the Miss South Africa 2011 title last night after competing against 11 other finalists.

The blonde winner received the crown from last year's Miss SA, Bokang Montjane.

Bam, who has previously won the Miss Tropika and Miss Waterkloof titles, is studying at the University of Pretoria.

Remona Moodley, of Cape Town, Miss India South Africa 2005, was crowned first princess.

The show at Sun City was hosted by hip-hop artist Proverb. TV presenter Bridget Masinga and former Miss Namibia Michelle Mclean provided commentary from the red carpet.

Second princess Thuli Sangweni also won the Miss Congeniality prize.

Started in 1956, the Miss South Africa competition has changed the fortunes of many young women - including Anneline Kriel, who went on to win the Miss World title in 1974. She married a succession of successful businessmen.

The judging panel comprised former Miss SA winners Sonia Raciti-Oshry and Joan Ramagoshi, socialite and former Miss SA runner-up Sonia Booth, radio talk-show host Kieno Kammies, desinger Gert Johan Coetzee and fashion consultant Paledi Segapo.

On Saturday night, 18-year-old Celeste Khumalo won the Miss South Africa Teen pageant, with Tarsha Leigh Jenneke as first princess and Alexis van der Merwe as second runner-up. The teen event was also held at Sun City.

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