It’s been a pretty good weekend for South Africa. Global ratings agency Standard & Poors announced that it will retain the country’s investment grade rating. The Blitzbokke beat New Zealand to win the World Rugby Sevens title in Port Elizabeth. At the ExCeL Arena in London on Sunday night, 22 year old fourth year medical student Rolene Strauss became the third South African to win the Miss World title.
Rolene, the reigning Miss South Africa, is not related to Jo-Anne Strauss who won the title in 2000. Â Originally from Volksrust in Mpumalanga, is studying at the University of the Free State. Durbanite Penny Coelen won the Miss World title in 1958. In 1974 Anneline Kriel was First Princess in the event, but took over as Miss World when the original winner, Helen Morgan, resigned after four days (when it was revealed that she had a child).
Read more about South Africa’s newest super celebrity on her Facebook page, check out her pictures on her Instagram page, or congratulate her directly by tweeting @rolenestrauss. – AH
From the SA Press Association:
Miss South Africa, Rolene Strauss, has made the country proud after she was crowned Miss World in London on Sunday, President Jacob Zuma said.
“We are very proud that our very own has earned this prestigious title after months of hard work and dedication.
“Ms Strauss has demonstrated the capability of South Africans to shine on the world stage,” Zuma said in a statement.
“We are confident that she will fly the South African flag even higher as she performs her new responsibilities. On behalf of all South Africans, we extend our hearty congratulations [and] wish her the very best in this new role.”
The University of Free State medical student beat out first princess Miss Hungary Edina Kulcsar and second princess Miss USA Elizabeth Safrit to bring the title home.
The last time a South African won the title was in 1974 when Anneline Kriel was crowned Miss World.
Lead SA said the 22-year-old made the nation proud.
“We are ending this year on a high note, as we bring the crown home after 40 years. Rolene is only the third South African to walk away as Miss World,” said Lead SA.
“We have extraordinary talent and leadership in South Africa. Rolene has shown that beauty can have a significant purpose,” Lead SA said.
Strauss is a true ambassador of South Africa and Mpumalanga, Anthony Benadie MPL and Democratic Alliance Mpumalanga leader said.
“Yielding from Volksrust in the Pixley ka Isaka Seme municipality, we are proud of her achievement,” he said in a statement.
“Being crowned Miss World 2014, brings with it immense responsibility and we are confident that she will represent our country and province well.”
Support for Strauss poured in on social media website Twitter.
Singer Lira wrote: “#MissSA2014 #RoleneStrauss just won #MissWorld2014. I am so PROUD of her!!”
University of Free State rector and Vice-Chancellor Jonathan Jansen tweeted: STOP CRYING! SO BLOODY PROUD OF MY STUDENT. THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE CELEBRATES TONIGHT! WELL DONE ROLENE. YOU LIFT US UP”.
Meanwhile, the university posted on Facebook: “Miss World is a Kovsie! Congratulations to Rolene Strauss for conquering the world. You have made us so proud.” – SAPA
@alechogg except Kriel was chosen first princess and took over when Helen Morgan was forced to resign. Strauss is an outright winner.
— Rev Richard Catto (@rrcatto) December 14, 2014
From Proudly South African:
Proudly South African has lauded Bloemfontein beauty and Miss SA title holder, Rolene Strauss, after she was crowned Miss World at a glitzy ceremony in London this evening.
Strauss (22), who was tipped as a favorite to win the title, was crowned after a lengthy process including grueling interviews by top international personalities.
“Rolene has done our nation proud and has flown the nation’s flag high! She has represented South Africa with dignity and pride – and in as much as she has declared herself to be Proudly South African, our country is also proud of her!” Said Proudly SA’s CEO, Adv. Leslie Sedibe.
“Social media practically exploded with messages of support from all corners of the country and this is once again proof that our nation indeed stands united, especially in celebrating the successes of our fellow countrymen and women,” he added.
Proudly South African wishes Rolene every success in her journey ahead and is confident that she will represent South Africa and its people well as an ambassador of the nation, wherever her duties take her.
“Rolene serves as a role model for all South African youths and has shown that dreams can come true if we are willing to work hard and keep our eyes on a vision for the future! May she continue to carry with her the Proudly South African ethos and spread Ubuntu to all corners of the globe. We wish her every success as she shows the world what being Proudly South African is all about,” added Adv. Sedibe.
Proudly SA has also congratulated Sun International and the Miss SA team for their sterling work – and applauds them for their unwavering commitment to “beauty with a purpose”.
Sun International and the Miss SA team recently joined forces with Proudly SA and Proctor & Gamble (P&G) for the launch of a project to facilitate the mass distribution of sanitary pads to school girls in poor communities which cannot afford such.
Thousands of young girls across South Africa miss up to 12 weeks of school annually as they cannot afford to buy sanitary products.
Rolene has, meanwhile, adopted the P&G “Keeping Girls in School” initiative as her Miss SA project for the year.
