In South Africa, the term "coloured" is used towards the descendants of multiracial communities that arose from interracial unions during the colonial period. In the Western Cape region, a particular sub-group called "Cape Coloureds" arose from unions between European colonists, indigenous Khoisan tribes, Bantu ethnic groups and to some degree, Javanese and Indian indentured immigrants. Cape Coloureds often speak Afrikaans, a daughter language of Dutch, as historically, their ancestors grew up among Dutch and Afrikaner society. While in Durban, the coloured community descends from unions between British colonists, Bantu ethnic groups and Indian indentured immigrants. Let’s get to know the South African beauties from the coloured community who represented their country in the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants.
By 1970, the Miss World pageant organizers allowed 2 delegates from South Africa to compete for the international beauty title. This was because of South Africa’s Apartheid laws at the time where the Miss South Africa pageant was opened only to white contestants. A separate pageant, Miss Africa South, was organized and was open for the non-white contestants. Both winners of the contest were admitted as official delegates from South Africa, where the white entrant was named as “Miss South Africa” and the non-white entrant was named as “Miss Africa South”. Pearl Gladys Janssen won the title of Miss Africa South 1970. Before winning the title, she was working as a supervising machinist in a shoe factory. Hailing from Cape Town, Pearl has held several local beauty titles and is also an accomplished gymnast. She soon competed as “Miss Africa South” in the Miss World 1970 pageant held in London, United Kingdom. A favorite during the pageant, Pearl became a controversial subject of journalists covering the pageant, as she was often photographed with her white compatriot competitor, Jillian Jessup, who is Miss South Africa 1970. Pearl eventually finished as 2nd place, being the runner up of the pageant.
Gaily Ryan won the Miss Africa South 1971 pageant and competed as “Miss Africa South” in the Miss World 1971 pageant held in London, United Kingdom.
Ellen Peters won the Miss Africa South 1973 pageant. A coloured beauty from Cape Town, Ellen speaks English and Afrikaans and was working as a secretary before winning the pageant. She soon competed as “Miss Africa South” in the Miss World 1973 pageant held in London, United Kingdom, where she was among the Top 12 semi-finalists.
Evelyn Peggy Williams won the title of Miss Africa South 1974. Hailing from Cape Town, Evelyn speaks English and Afrikaans. Before winning the title, she was working as a teacher for children with learning disabilities. Having previously held several local beauty titles, Evelyn is also an avid weightlifter. She soon competed as “Miss Africa South” in the Miss World 1974 pageant held in London, United Kingdom, and was among the Top 12 semi-finalists.
Lydia Gloria Johnstone won the title of Miss Africa South 1975. At the time of winning the title, she was working as a model and has previously held local beauty and bodybuilding titles. Fluent in English and Afrikaans, Lydia soon competed as “Miss Africa South” in the Miss World 1975 pageant held in London, United Kingdom.
Glynis Dorothea Fester, a coloured beauty from Cape Town, won the title of Miss RSA 1977 (Miss Republic of South Africa). Before winning the national title, Glynis was trained in ballet and has previously held several local beauty titles. She soon became South Africa’s representative in the Miss Universe 1977 pageant held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Amy Kleinhans won the title of Miss South Africa 1992 (the Miss South Africa pageant began to be open to all contestants regardless of racial background by 1977). She won the title on her second attempt as she was 1st runner-up the previous year. Hailing from Cape Town, Amy is of Cape Coloured heritage and is fluent in both English and Afrikaans. At the time of winning the title, she was working as a history and geography teacher and was also a part-time model. Amy became the host delegate when the Miss World 1992 pageant was held in Sun City, South Africa. During the parade of nations segment where the candidates flew the flag of the country they represented, Amy notably refused to use South Africa’s national flag at the time and instead used a white flag with the Miss World logo on it. A favorite during the pageant, she eventually finished among the Top 5 finalists.
Jo-Ann Cindy Strauss won the Miss South Africa 2000 pageant. A coloured beauty from Cape Town, Jo-Ann is fluent in Afrikaans, English, Xhosa and German. At the time of winning the national pageant, she was a law student and is also trained in ballet. She soon became South Africa's representative in the Miss Universe 2001 pageant held in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. She then became the host delegate when the Miss World 2001 pageant was held in Sun City, South Africa. Noted for her exotic looks and vivacious charm, Jo-Ann became a favorite during the pageant and was among the Top 10 semi-finalists. After her reign, Jo-Ann became active in the local South African media industry as a TV host and has also hosted various international events around the world.
Tansey Coetzee won the title of Miss South Africa 2007. Hailing from Johannesburg, she comes from a mixed background; her father is coloured while her mother is Indian. Before winning the national title, she was working as a model and a dancer and has also previously held several local beauty titles. Tansey soon represented South Africa in the Miss Universe 2008 pageant held in Nha Trang, Vietnam, where she was among the Top 15 semi-finalists. She became the hometown girl when the Miss World 2008 pageant was held in Johannesburg, South Africa. A huge favorite during the pageant, Tansey eventually finished among the Top 5 finalists.
Tatum Keshwar won the title of Miss South Africa 2008. Hailing from Durban, she was working as a youth mentor and was also a part-time model before winning the title. Tatum soon represented South Africa in the Miss Universe 2009 pageant held in Nassau, Bahamas. Noted for her exotic looks and strong stage presence, the statuesque beauty became a favorite during the pageant and finished among the Top 10 semi-finalists. She then became the host delegate when the Miss World 2009 pageant was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, and eventually finished in 3rd place.
Marilyn Ramos won the title of Miss South Africa 2012. Hailing from Klerksdorp, Marilyn was pursuing a degree in interior architecture before winning the national title. She comes from a mixed background; her mother is coloured while her father is of Portuguese descent. The stunning beauty soon became South Africa's representative in the Miss World 2013 pageant, held in Bali, Indonesia and in the Miss Universe 2013 pageant, held in Moscow Russia.
Liesl Laurie won the Miss South Africa 2015 pageant. Before winning the national pageant, she recently completed an accounting degree and was also working as a model. A coloured beauty from Johannesburg, Liesl then became South Africa's representative in the Miss World 2015 pageant held in Sanya, China. A favorite during the pageant, she finished among the Top 10 semi-finalists.
Tamaryn Green won the title of Miss South Africa 2018; she was earlier designated as Miss Universe South Africa 2018 after reaching the Top 2 during the pageant. Before winning the national title, she was pursuing a medical degree and has previously won several local beauty titles. Hailing from Paarl, Tamaryn is of Cape Coloured heritage and is fluent in English and Afrikaans. She soon became South Africa's representative in the Miss Universe 2018 pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand. Noted for her exotic looks and eloquence, the statuesque beauty became a huge favorite during the pageant, eventually finishing as 1st runner-up.
Comments
Post a Comment