bookofswagMiss SA 2014 welcomes Kojo Baffoe, Amy Kleinhans-Curd and Bonang Matheba who will be joining Anele Mdoda and Pnina Fenster
The judging panel for the Miss South Africa Pageant has been extended with the appointment of three new judges, one of whom is a former Miss SA title holder.
The Miss South Africa pageant, presented by Sun International and sponsored by Cell C, takes place at Sun City Superbowl on Sunday March 30.
The judges are Amy Kleinhans-Curd, crowned Miss South Africa in 1992; magazine editor, poet and writer, Kojo Baffoe and TV presenter, model and cosmetics brand ambassador Bonang Matheba. They will join the two current judges, Anele Mdoda and Pnina Fenster, on the adjudication panel.
Regarded as leaders and trend-setters in their respective fields, they will be judging the Top 12 contestants on an array of criteria including their leadership qualities, communication skills, beauty and talent, physical fitness and a dedication to community service.
Since winning the title in 1992, Amy Kleinhans-Curd has been actively involved in several business interests all primarily focused on providing a platform for learning and development among South Africa’s previously disadvantaged communities. She is the founder of “Dial-a-Teacher” which provides supplementary learning and tutoring to more than 280 000 scholars. She also serves as an Executive Director of Private Label Promotion (PLP) (Pty) Limited, and is involved with Business Growth Solutions, a subsidiary company of PLP, which assists and supports SMMEs with long-term growth and sustainability.
She reveals what she will be looking for: “Miss SA must be a young woman with maturity, who knows herself well and has identified how she can bring hope and inspiration to youth in this country. I feel excited about being on the panel and contributing in a meaningful way to choosing a young female leader and giving her the chance to have a voice and the opportunity to change her life forever.”
Asked what she would bring to the judging, Kleinhans-Curd replied: “I have walked this road and have an in-depth understanding of what is needed to make a great Miss SA.”
Kojo Baffoe is the editor of the men’s business and lifestyle magazine, Destiny Man. He is also a writer, poet and entrepreneur. Raised in Lesotho, but based in Johannesburg, Kojo has a B. Commerce (majors in economics, marketing & business administration) from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and has been involved in a number of sectors, including retail, management consulting, publishing, events, IT and media (television and print).
He says he will be looking for someone who has the capacity to manage the different spaces to which her reign will expose her.
“Miss SA today is navigating a world that is in constant flux. She needs to be a true ambassador who can engage on various levels with intelligence, grace, humility, confidence and, most importantly, authenticity.”
He says it is an honour to be a judge although the task was both exciting and daunting: “One is making a decision that has the potential to completely and exponentially build on the life that these young women are living. It is also exciting to be part of an experience that is evolving to reflect the times.”
Baffoe will bring to the panel “a perspective and a focus on context and relevance.”
Bonang Matheba is brand ambassador for Revlon Cosmetics and serves as executive producer of the TV show, Lights, Camera, Fashion. She also hosts Clash Of The Choirs on Mzansi Magic, has worked as a DJ on YFM is a presenter on Top Billing and last year made the Forbes List of the 13 African Celebrities to Watch.
She explains what qualities she will be looking for in the new Miss SA: “She will become an ambassador for our country and she needs to embody a number of qualities. Ambition, beauty, personality and substance are definite must haves. Ultimately, the new Miss SA will need to develop a connection with South African women, who come from different backgrounds, and as such, her versatility will be put to the test.”
She said that she is delighted to be part of the Miss SA pageant: “I grew up watching the Miss SA pageant and Basetsana Kumalo was a great influence. Miss SA empowers young women and acts as a stepping stone for those wishing to follow their dreams and make a difference in our country. Being a judge allows me to make a contribution in helping someone realise their dreams, which is enough to make anyone content.”
The other two judges have been involved with Miss SA 2014 since the start. Anele Mdoda is a high-profile radio personality, TV presenter and MC who made a big impact as the host of SA’s Got Talent on television. She has worked behind the microphone on 5FM and 94.7 Highveld Stereo. She judged the competition last year.
Pnina Fenster is a household name in the field of journalism and made her mark in newspapers and at several prestigious women’s magazines. She is currently the editor of Glamour magazine.
The Top 12 Miss SA finalists who are competing for the crown come from around the country: Gauteng and the Western Cape have three finalists each, Free State has two and the Eastern Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga have one.
They are Abigail de Jager, Mpumalanga; Anzél Stofberg, Western Cape; Caylene Marais, Gauteng; Dipalesa Mbola, Free State; Jade Hubner, Western Cape; Julia Petersen, KwaZulu-Natal; Matlala Mokoko, Limpopo; Mishka Patel, Western Cape; Rolene Strauss, Free State; Tidimalo Sehlako; Gauteng; Tshegofatso Monggae, Gauteng and Ziphozakhe Zokufa, Eastern Cape.