With just a few days to go for the 2019 Mr and Miss DUT to be crowned, 20 students from both the Midlands and Durban Campuses are hard at work with rehearsals in preparation for the competition on Friday, 2 August 2019.
The annual DUT modelling competition hosted by the Department of Student Governance and the Student Representative Council (SRC) keeps improving for the better. The preparations for the upcoming competition kickstarted immediately after the auditions that took place last Saturday (27 July 2019) at the Mansfield Hall, Durban. From the auditions twenty students were chosen of the twenty, four will be representing the Midlands Campus.
Talking about the competition, Student Governance STEP Administrator and the Mr And Miss DUT 2019 event co-ordinator Sphandla Nene said his department aims to continuously improve the competition since it was more than just a beauty pageant but another way of finding DUT Ambassadors.
“The competition has to improve if we want to be represented even in competitions outside of DUT. Therefore, it is essential that the finalists rehearse and during these rehearsals they are not only focusing on choreography or how they should walk and look on the day, but we also workshop them about acknowledging the DUT brand and nurturing it at all times. We are also encouraging them to be proud South Africans and be re-presentable not only on the night of the competition, but every day and everywhere they go,” explained Nene.
On Sunday the contestants did a photoshoot and are busy with rehearsals every evening up until Thursday, 1 August 2019. The prizes for the 2019 winners will consist of an opportunity to undergo a coaching and mentorship programme offered by Indoni Models owner, Dereck Mhlongo. Indoni Models has been very instrumental in providing assistance during the preparations for the competition. Mhlongo and the former Miss DUT 2016 and the Former Miss South Africa Campuses 2017, Asilungile Ngcobo are also closely working with each of the finalists during rehearsals.
The 2019 judges will be Vuma FM’s Vanessa Marawa, 2019/20 Mr International and former Mr DUT 2016 Nkululeko Mbatha and Miss Mamelodi Sundowns 2018, Tshegafatso Monggae. The MC’s for the show are Wiseman Mncube known as Sbonelo on Uzalo and Zine Lushaba of Gagasi 99.5. The finalists will first model in their theme wear under the theme being Golden Times or My Power, followed by swimwear and ending with evening wear.
The competition will commence at 7pm at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre, Steve Biko Campus, Durban. Students attending the event are to make sure they bring their valid 2019 student card in order to be allowed into the venue.
Pictured: The 2019 Mr and Miss DUT finalists.
Noxolo Memela
