South Africa’s rising star, Zoalize Jansen van Rensburg, has officially set off to represent the nation at the 72nd Miss World pageant, set to take place on 31 May at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, India.
The 18-year-old Miss World South Africa 2024 departs with not just a suitcase of gowns and glitz, but a heart full of purpose and a message of unity that has captured the spirit of the nation.
Draped in a show-stopping emerald green gown during her send-off at The Shyre Mansion in Johannesburg, Jansen van Rensburg exuded elegance and grace as she bid farewell to her homeland in a celebration befitting a queen.
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“I’m excited, delighted, and I’m really thrilled. I can’t wait for the official departure and for the festival to commence,” she said, as per TimesLIVE.
Her mission at Miss World extends beyond beauty. Zoalize’s “Beauty with a Purpose” project focuses on empowering orphaned and vulnerable children by providing love, education, and life skills.
“When I thought of my initiatives, I thought: what did I need as a child? That was love, support and education,” she shared in TimesLIVE. “When we invest in our youth, we give ourselves the freedom to believe in tomorrow.”
The young beauty queen has also made sustainability a priority. Her fashion choices for the pageant have been carefully considered, with a focus on environmentally friendly garments and intentional re-wears.
“Fashion is one of the most polluting industries, so I’ve been very intentional about planning environmentally friendly outfits and yes, that includes a few re-wears,” she said, as per TimesLIVE.
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Jansen van Rensburg’s journey to India has been supported by an outpouring of love from family, friends, and the public. Her send-off was marked by emotional speeches from her loved ones and praise from national figures.
“In my eyes and many South Africans’ eyes, by the way, you have already won,” said Acting CEO of Brand South Africa, Sithembile Ntombela. “This country needs positive news and I know you will bring us that.”
The beauty queen herself remains grounded and deeply proud of her roots. “One thing I want the world to know about South Africa is our ubuntu spirit. We are a trailblazing nation with resilience, freedom, kindness and unity,” she said, according to TimesLIVE.
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Zoalize’s national costume for the “Dance of the World” segment promises to be a standout moment, with the star teasing a bold concept co-designed with her brother. “I picked something that’s not generally done for South Africa. I hope people are shocked by the concept and the story behind it,” she hinted.
With millions expected to tune in to watch the crowning of the new Miss World on 31 May, South Africans will be watching with pride as Zoalize carries the hopes of a nation.
“I will be carrying the spirit of our rainbow nation with me. Thank you for all the love and support,” wrote the beauty queen on Instagram, sharing snaps from her departure, where she is pictured flying the South African flag high.
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Feature Image: Instagram / @zoalizevr
