Yup folks, it’s that time of the year again – our Miss World South Africa – Thulisa Keyi will be flying out to China next week to start her preparations for the prestigious Miss World pageant which will be taking place on 8th December.

This morning I got to attend her official farewell and also got a sneak peak at one of Thulisa Keyi’s pageant costumes created by local designer Biji – the gown is beautifully crafted and certainly has an effortless feel to it.

Says Thulisa, “I love my Designer of the World dress as it incorporates a traditional twist and I am delighted to reveal it today. My dress for the finale will also be simple but elegant.“

Designer Biji Gibbs describes the Designer of the World dress: “When we sat down to discuss Thulisa’s gown, the words that kept coming up were simple, fitted, bold and elegant. I had asked Thulisa to send suggestions of designs or patterns which meant a lot to her personally and culturally. This is a wonderful way to create a synthesis of my skills fused with the soul of the person who is to wear one of my creations.”

Twenty-six-year-old Keyi, who hails from Mdantsane outside East London in the Eastern Cape, will be representing South Africa against contestants from 119 other countries in the competition, which is watched by millions of people worldwide.

This is the 68th edition of the Miss World 2018 pageant and takes place in Sanya, China, when Manushi Chhillar from India will crown her successor at the end of the event. Keyi was crowned Miss World South Africa at the Miss South Africa pageant in May this year.

Keyi explains how her preparations for Miss World are going and what she puts into these:
“It’s going well; there is still a lot to do but we’re getting there. From a fitness point of view, I am being trained by Letshego Zulu who has customised my training according to my fitness needs. This will help me tackle the sports category at Miss World. For the talent category, I will be dancing and Ryan Hignett is choreographing my routine.

“My Miss World Beauty with a Purpose project focuses on PTSD and education and I am currently finalising the video shoot which explains the undertaking and what I would like to achieve with it. This is close to my heart as it comes from my own personal experience. I suffered trauma at a young age and used education as a tool to rise above my circumstances.”

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my journey. I am grateful for this opportunity and will do my absolute best to make South Africa proud. I am excited to represent our beautiful country at the Miss World contest at such an important time, in the year that we celebrate the Mandela centenary,” she says.

Pageant coach and fashion stylist Werner Wessels is assisting Keyi ahead of her departure: “She has been working hard and is ready to take to the Miss World stage. She is going to do South Africa proud.”

Miss South Africa 2018, Tamaryn Green will be competing in the Miss Universe contest which will be held on 17th  December in Bangkok, Thailand.

Images: Supplied by Miss South Africa Organisation. Press release which I have reworked to suit the purpose of this article, was also supplied by the Miss South Africa Organisation.