The newly crowned Miss World, Rolene Strauss, arrived back home on Saturday morning and was given a rousing welcome at OR Tambo Airport.
Strauss was met by the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula, former Miss World 1958, Penny Rey Coelen, her parents and brother, licence-holders Sun International and headline sponsor Cell C.
Thousands of well-wishers and singers carrying banners and Proudly South African flags greeted a visibly stunned Strauss who was wearing her magnificent Miss World crown. She stepped into the arrivals hall, accompanied by Steven Douglas, Event Director of the Miss World Organisation, and a ring of policemen.
The area reverberated with songs and dances as the famous Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir gave voice to the occasion and moved everybody as they sang the South African National anthem and Rolene’s favourite song, You Raise Me Up.
Douglas addressed the crowd: “You gave us Miss South Africa and we are bringing home Miss World.”
A surprise visitor was 11-year-old Cape Town schoolgirl, Xabiso Mlumbi, to whom Rolene donated a wheelchair through one of her charities and holds a special place in her heart.
Welcome home Rolene what an epic home-coming to remember!
