With the accompanying photograph of the "princess cake mould", I was going to go with the cake/baking metaphor for this post, but decided against it. It was just too much for one week.In any event, the topic for this post is, irrespective of the entry requirements for the Miss SA pageant, there is a definite "winners mould" if the results of the last few Miss SA pageants are anything to go by. If a contestant, that does not fit this mould, is not exceptionally beautiful and stands out, she is not going to do well at the pageant.
We have a very strong group of semi-finalists this year, but it is with regret that I have observed that there are no Penny Coelens, Anneline Kriels or Margaret Gardiners in the group. There is no-one that catches the eye to the extent that, irrespective of factors such as vital statistics or height, she is a sure-shot winner.
After reviewing the winning statistics for the past few years, the following "requirements" for a potential winner are evident:
* If a contestant is not at least 1,75m tall, she will more than likely not win. The trend at international pageants of late is to crown taller winners.
* Whilst the age of the winner at Miss Universe and Miss World has averaged 20 going on 19, the average winner of Miss SA has averaged 21 going on 22.
* If the contestant is under 20, she will definitely not win even though a number of teens have won Miss Universe or Miss World.
* Whilst the entry requirement is matric, if the contestant does not have a degree, or at least some tertiary education, she will not win.
* Pageant novices will not win. Unless the contestant has competed in a number of pageants and "knows the ropes", she will not be considered for the title.
* Quiet, brooding Goddesses will not make the grade. The winning contestant needs to be confident and out-spoken, even "in your face".
* Although there have been three blonde winners in the last 10 years (unfortunately there are no blonde stand-outs this year), the darker, more Mediterranean look is preferred.
* Whilst the general consensus is that a Black girl will win (ok, the scouts were specifically told to look for strong Black candidates this year), the organisers might cop-out and pick a winner somewhere in-between again (although that could prove difficult since there are no strong candidates in that group this year).
So ladies! Unless you fit "the mould", chances are you are not going to win Miss SA. Better luck next time.