MISS SOUTH AFRICA 2009

My faith in the Miss South Africa Organisation was restored (for now) when Nicole Flint, a 21-year-old Jacaranda FM production assistant and part-time broadcaster, was crowned Miss South Africa in the Sun City Superbowl earlier tonight. Whilst I certainly had my doubts that, due to socio-political factors, she would win the crown, I have not been this excited about a Miss SA and a possible second Miss Universe crown in years.

Nicole has been my "hot pick" to win since the announcement of the semi-finalists in October. She is not only gorgeous, but smart, well-spoken and a very hard-working and dedicated young lady. She has the unwavering support of her family, particularly her mom Liz. I can assure you that Liz is the proudest mother in the whole wide world right now.

Here is an excerpt from an e-mail that Liz sent me in the run-up to the pageant final:

"I am telling you this because I want you to understand where I come from where Nicole is concerned. She has JUST turned 21 and has so much responsibility. She does an outstanding job of her life and job.

1. She starts work on Radio at 5h15. The Breakfast Show is on air until 10h00.
2. After this she handles Darren Scott’s diary as well as his Gigs Schedule. All travel arrangements are done by her as well.
3. She handles all the features, there are many features during the year and this time of the year is absolutely crazy, organizing callers, gifts, sponsors and guests. Then she also handles the logistics around this.
4. These features come to a head in December, so you can imagine the chaos around this.
5. Nicole represents the Breakfast team at all Ops and Programming meetings through the week.
6. She gets home around 18h00 at night and then handles about 450 emails that have to be answered personally.
7. She goes to Gym at least 3 times a week for two hours – (or rather she tries very hard).
8. She deals with all the guests, celebrity bookings and logistics around this.
9. She also Project Manages the “Shack to RDP Housing Scheme” in Olievehoutsbosch that Jacaranda runs.
10. Then to crown it all she does modeling in between, castings and photo shoots.

This is only a fraction of what she does.

Nicole is the most unassuming, honest, amazing and passionate young lady I know. She is beautiful in and out. She is twenty one years old and my best friend. We have an amazing relationship as mother and daughter.

She doesn’t drink or smoke (this has proved to be very difficult taking into account the environment that she works in) as she is ridiculed and teased at all times. PLEASE NOTE that she is NOT a nerdy girl, but she handles it like a star.

She is amazing!!"

The "three-time-finalist jinx" continued when Matapa Maila was named First Runner-up. She joins an exclusive club of women that have qualified three times for the finals, but have not won the Miss SA crown. The other former contestants in the club are Barbara Duff (1956, 1958, 1959) and Roberta Alessandri (1986, 1988, 1990). Lisa van Zyl, a finalist in 2007, was named Second Runner-up.

Rounding out the Top 5 were Mahlatse Mkhawana (4th) and Joanne Cronje (5th). Rumours of a "surprise result" had influenced my decision to temporarily instal my second favourite, Joanne Cronje, as a post-swimsuit round favourite for the crown. The rumour proved to be unfounded.