Melinda Bam crowned Miss SA 2011

Pretoria beauty, Melinda Bam was crowned Miss South 2011 at a gala event held at Sun City tonight, 11 December 2011.  “I believe this year will offer me an amazing and life altering experience,” said a tangibly excited Melinda Bam in her first ever television interview as Miss SA 2011.

The Superbowl glittered in all its finery from the elegantly glad guests to the sophisticated décor. The table setting mirror balls and ghost chairs brilliantly reflected the stage lights and motif candles as the 12 finalists wearing JetSet watches and beautifully designed Dax Martin bikini’s had the audience, particularly the male members, hollering for more. 

Miss Veet Sexy Legs

Miss Veet Sexy Legs was announced after the swimsuit parade and Frieda Du Plessis was announced the winner of the best legs in South Africa and the Miss Congeniality title, voted for by the finalists went to Thuli Sangweni.

Each sequence of the show highlighted the artistry of South Africa’s finest fashion designers namely, Heni Este-Hijzen, Ian West, JJ Schoeman, Paul Van Zyl, Haroun Hansrot, Gert-Johan Coetzee, Francois Vedemme, Gabi Rosenworth, and Gideon.

Melinda Bam, 22, cruised to the top beating the other 11 contestants from across the country with her poise, personality and golden beauty.

Melinda is studying a BCom in Marketing at the University of Pretoria. She believes she has the motivation, ambition and confidence to become an inspirational ambassador to the youth of South Africa. At 1.7 metre tall her gorgeous face and lithesome body attracted the attention of the judges and the audience. She has previously held titles for Miss Tropika, Me Waterkloof and Candy Girl pageants.

The first runner-up is Remona Moodley (22) from Cape Town. This 22 year-old stunner and is studying Electrical Engineering at UCT. The second runner-up is the beautiful Thuli Sangweni (21) from Johannesburg. She is currently studying an IMM Marketing degree.

Prizes

Besides the opportunity of representing South Africa for the year of her reign, Melinda will also participate in the Miss Universe 2012 and Miss World 2012 pageants courtesy of Sun International and  as part of the winners prize package she will drive away in a Ford Focus 1.6 Trendline sponsored by Barloworld Motors, and receives hair care for the year of her reign from L’Oreal Professional and Gary Rom Hairdressing services, as well as make up from Iman Cosmetics, Camelot Spa beauty and body spa treatments, shoes from Europa Art and clothing from Cameroon and complimentary dry cleaning services from Exclusive Dry Cleaners.

The newly crowned Miss SA wins a coveted Jet Set Diamond watch she will also be able to select another 3 watches to accessorise her wardrobe.   Jet Set Watches also sponsors an all-expenses paid trip to Paris. 

Melinda wins a holiday at the luxurious Royal Livingstone Hotel, Sun International’s Victoria Falls property in Zambia and personal imaging, social skills and etiquette training from Professional Impressions. She will be limousine driven in style by Lux Limos and Avis Car Hire will provide complimentary car hire during 2012. Varsity College awards Melinda an educational bursary and she will also receive a bursary for the charity of her choice. She has also won a Blackberry Bold, 12 months of airtime and a 40" LCD, PVR Decoder & 12 months DSTV subscription.

The red carpet paparazzi were out in force and television cameras captured the procession of designer gowns and tuxedos as the VIP guests entered the Superbowl. The pageant was broadcasted live by Mzansi Magic, and thousands of channel 107 viewers were able to tune in and enjoy the spectacle. The twelve Miss SA finalists were central to the entertainment provided by the Big NUZ, LeAnne, Sipho Hotstix Mabuse and RJ Benjamin.

The presenters of the Pageant, Tebogo “ProVerb” Thekisho, Michelle McLean and All Access presenter, Bridget Masinga, vividly captured the intense expectation and tangible onstage excitement.

Judges this year included principal judge and former Miss South Africa Sonia Raciti-Oshry, former Miss SA and businesswoman Joan Ramagoshi, former Miss SA 2nd Princess Sonia Booth, talk show host and journalist Kieno Kammies, fashion designer Gert Johan Coetzee and fashion consultant Paledi Segapo.