South Africa’s Most Beautiful Women Crowned ….
The 2011 National winners of this year’s Miss Earth South Africa in association with Consol, were crowned last night at a glittering gala dinner in Johannesburg. Now in its ninth year, Western Cape beauty, Kim Rivalland was crowned as SA’s Green Environmental Ambassador. The 24 year old Occupational Therapist from Claremont has been working very hard over the past 9 months, as a finalists, focusing on Glass and the health benefits of glass, community greening programmes, sustainable development and the importance of paper and forestry to climate change.
The Miss Earth South Africa in association with Consol is an initiative and leadership programme for South African women between the ages of 18 and 26 years. It’s a platform that is used to empower these young women with the necessary knowledge and opportunities to become environmental eco-warriors, encouraging them to go out and make a sustainable environmental impact on their communities and the public at large. Finalists and winners receive hands-on experience through being involved in several green campaigns and projects. The initiative currently works with over 120 schools nationwide. Much of the work is focused on greening of townships, food gardens, sustainable development and educational programmes around the country. This year many of the finalists chose to focus on glass as a healthy product of choice, glass recycling, eWaste campaigns and water-wise initiatives. Rivalland who was born in KZN, said, “I aim to focus on sustainable development and being an Ambassador for our country as we welcome the UN Climate Change conference to our shores this December. I want to have a meaningful year that changes lives and leaves behind a green footprint that will allow more young people to grow, learn and develop a greener way of living.”
After her year of reign, Kim will represent SA at the International Miss Earth in South East Asia in November 2012. As part of this year’s judging process, finalists underwent a written exam, their own environmental initiative in their community, as well as a one-on-one interview session with a panel of 16 judges.
Judges this year included the likes of IMPERIAL Toyota’ CEO, Andrew Miller; Consol Glass, Janine Loftie-Eaton, SANParks representatives, City of Johannesburg Environmental Department representatives, Nambitha Mpulwana, Claudia Henkel and Edith Venter. KZN Finalists took top awards for their extensive greening campaigns and projects. Mbali Makhathini, a water analyst placed 2nd overall.
As part of the winners prize package Kim will drive away in an Toyota Prius, sponsored by IMPERIAL Toyota, and receives hair care for the year of her reign from Elchim SA and Bijan, as well as make up from Jane Iredale, energy efficiency products from Efergy and Gardening tools and accessories to get her garden and home as green as it can be. JoJo Tanks will also sponsor her with 2 JoJo Tanks for use at 2 school community projects of her choice over the next 12 months.
2012 will mark the 10th Anniversary of Miss Earth South Africa in association with Consol.
24th September 2011
