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Miss World shocker for Cindy
12/12/2003 11:31 - (SA)
Sonnette Lombaard, Beeld
Johannesburg - As a South African she could handle the shock and disappointment better than other women vying for the Miss World title, says Cindy Nell.
Nell, this year's Miss South Africa, will crown her successor at Sun City on Saturday.
A furore broke out after Rosanna Davison was crowned Miss World last Saturday evening. Rumours were making the rounds that Davison's well-known father, the singer Chris de Burgh and his equally well-known friends helped her to win the coveted crown.
Nell, one of the favourites among international experts and beauty websites, didn't even reach the final 20.
"I nearly toppled over when my name wasn't read out. The 106 women spent a month together in China before the ceremony and everyone had a pretty good idea who would reach the shortlist," Nell says.
She says there were mixed feelings about Davison's crowning. "However, she is really very pretty. With women from 106 countries competing, you notice how cultures differ and some women were not shy to express their dismay.
"South Africans have come a long way in dealing with this type of thing and I think we handle disappointment more graciously."
Nell was very happy to have met De Burgh personally, because he held a concert beforehand. She also liked the month-long visit to China and says it was one of the highlights of her reign.
Other highlights include the Miss Universe competition in Panama where she was crowned second princess, her work with the Reach for a Dream foundation and attending Madiba's 85th birthday celebrations.
Nell would like to become a television presenter and also plans to market African jewellery internationally. "I will be able to create job opportunities in this way because the jewellery will be made by local communities."
The Miss South Africa and Miss SA Teen competition, being held together this year, will be broadcast live on SABC1 at 18:00 on Saturday.
- Beeld
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South Africa
