On an extravagant finale of Miss South Africa 2015, held on March 29’ 2015 at the Sun City superbowl, Liesl Laurie from Eldorado Park in Johannesburg was crowned Miss South Africa 2015. The finale was a splendid event with the twelve finalists sashaying the ramp with their best display of beauty, poise and elegance. The grand finale of Miss South Africa 2015 was hosted by Proverb and included a panel of esteemed judges, including actress Sophie Ndaba and former beauty queen Anneline Kriel, as well as astounding performances by Gangs of Ballet, Beatenberg, Sterling EQ, and AKA.
In June 2014, Liesl launched her own non-profit organization, named The Pearl Project. The project aims at inspiring young girls, through motivational and educational workshops. The 24 years old Philanthropist, is a pro in the world of glamour and fashion. She participated at Miss Soweto 2010 and was ranked as the second Runner-up and won a special award of Miss Personality. In the year 2014, she won the title of second Runner-up at the Miss Mamelodi Sundowns 2014. “I have been working with a number of non-profit organisations that include Babies Behind Bars and Pilgrim Oasis Community Children’s Outreach in Eldorado Park and adjacent informal settlement in Kliptown.”
The finale started off with the finalists walking the ramp in their respective evening gowns. The outfits from Lauren du Plessis of Avant Apparel were selected from the designer’s archives to fit in with the vintage theme. The dresses all came from past collections and were chosen to portray the contestants in the most romantic and feminine way. After the Evening Gown, it was time to set the stage on fire with the SwimSuit round. SA designer, Joel Janse van Vuuren designed silk kaftans to go over the swimwear. The designs represented fluidity and motion, and were inspired from the underwater theme. They were all hand-dyed and have front tie closures. After the evening gown and swimsuit, the finalists walked the ramp looking mesmerizingly gorgeous in all black dresses. Designer Thula Sindi created the show’s cocktail dresses and said “I was inspired by the timeless nature and the changing role of the Miss South Africa pageant so naturally I gravitated to another classic ‘The Little Black Dress’ and 12 different ways to reinterpret this timeless piece.”
Miss South Africa 2015 Contestants during the Preliminary Competition
After the completion of the Preliminary round, Sihle Makhanya, Refilwe Mthimunye, Liesl Laurie, Nicole Lamberts and Ntsiki Mkhize were selected for the slot of Top 5 finalists. The Top 5 then were scrutinized at the Question and Answer round, eventually leading to announcing the winners.
Miss South Africa 2015 Top 5 Finalists
Apart from winning the coveted platinum crown made by Jack Friedman jewellers, the winner also received a prize package worth R2m. On the same event, Ntsiki Mkhize was crowned 2nd princess (Second Runner-up) and Refilwe Mthimunye 1st princess (First Runner-up). Liesl Laurie during her reign as Miss South Africa 2015 will represent South Africa at both Miss World 2015 and Miss Universe 2015 pageants. Liesl will be involved in promotional work and celebrity appearances, and will have to travel locally and abroad. She will be meeting dignitaries, celebrities, the privileged and the underprivileged.
As Miss South Africa 2014, Rolene Strauss passed on her crown and the responsibilities to her successor, all hopes now rest on Laurie, to bring home the same prestige and stature that her forerunner brought for the country. This life changing experience opens doors to business, the arts, the media, retail and other commercial ventures. The world is her oyster now and many former Miss South Africa’s have achieved phenomenal success.