Pageant drama rocks city
IN ONE of the biggest pageant controversies in the city’s history, local businesses feel tricked into offering their services free of charge during the Miss Teen Universe 2024 event, which took place in Kimberley from October 31 to November 10.
Local enterprises on Thursday appointed specialist investigator Mike Bolhuis to probe what happened to the substantial sum of money that was apparently donated towards the event by sponsors, including government departments, individuals, and businesses.
Several local business owners claimed that they had “not received a cent” after putting in long hours and suffering financial losses to cover their overhead expenses.
“We closed up shop and declined other business opportunities to assist after being approached at short notice. An event of this magnitude has never been held in the city before. We worked between eight to 10 hours every day, without any refreshments and hardly any breaks, as we had to rush to various locations,” they said.
‘A poorly managed event’
Service providers expressed embarrassment at what they described as a poorly managed event.
“The girls were locked outside the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre last week as the venue had apparently not been paid. A local benefactor agreed to accommodate the girls on his farm as they needed to use the restroom and did not have any food.
“The finalists were told that a trip to a river estate in Douglas had to be cancelled as their swimming costumes had not arrived. Meanwhile, it is believed that payment was outstanding. A private game reserve owner who took the contestants on helicopter rides is also awaiting payment.”
They indicated that the air conditioners and toilets were out of order at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre, where the main event was held.
“It was extremely hot and everyone was squashed into a room without any ventilation. Half-eaten bones were left lying around and the venue was filthy. What sort of impression did this create for our international guests?
“The contestants were served ice-cold macaroni and mince, bananas out of a shopping bag and meaty bones, without any meat. We are not sure if the caterers were maybe not paid, because on one occasion the contestants were given kiddies’ pizzas. The girls were concerned that they would suffer skin breakouts as they should have been provided with healthy and nutritious meals.”
Parents seeking legal advice
They stated further that the parents of some of the participants were seeking legal advice after they felt short-changed.
“The package offered flights, accommodation, catering, transport and other items that were never delivered as promised. The sound technician ended up transporting the contestants by bus to Johannesburg on November 10 as there were no flights booked from Kimberley to OR Tambo airport.”
Make-up artists and hair stylists decided to offer their services without reimbursement as they did not want to leave the international beauty queens “in the lurch”.
“While a few people withdrew due to non-payment, we could not allow the finalists to go on stage without professional styling and make-up. For the past two weeks, whenever we enquired about payment, we were either sent thumbs-up emojis or were ignored.
“We were required to reduce our prices at least four times. In the unlikely event that we are eventually paid, we might only receive a third of our original rates that were approved. We are repeatedly told that there is no money.”
Several service providers stated that they were informed that payments were delayed as the bank account was frozen due to “foreign currency deposits”.
“One of the organisers had to be hospitalised, which caused further delays.”
A stylist indicated that she was chased away and treated with disrespect when she agreed to assist the finalists, free of charge, during the finale.
A restaurant manager was hopeful that the balance of what was owed would be settled, while another business received a message promising that he would be paid on Friday.
‘It is part of life to experience setbacks’
The president of Miss Teen Universe, Carolina London, explained that she had no knowledge or involvement with any payments.
“All payments and the appointment of service providers were the responsibility of the organisers, whom we were introduced to by our South African directors. We are prepared to approach our lawyers if there are any discrepancies.
“While the Kimberley organisers could have done better, it is part of life to experience setbacks.”
She added that despite the challenges faced, she valued the generosity of individuals who went out of their way to ensure that the event was a success.
“What is important, is that the girls had the best experiences and they especially enjoyed the safari rides. We fell in love with the people of Kimberley and will definitely return to South Africa to host more events in the future. However, venues are rotated and are never held at the same place.”
London indicated that the newly crowned ambassador, Miss India Trishna Ray, would receive prizes from her sponsors in Miami, New York and South Africa including designer dresses and dental treatments.
Sol Plaatje municipality had assisted
Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thabo Mothibi stated that while no sponsorships were given to the organisers, the municipality had assisted with an amount of R53,000 to advertise the event on the city’s street poles.
“Hoards of visitors boosted the economy by frequenting our local tourism and hospitality sites and embraced the local culture, heritage and wildlife. Small, medium and micro enterprises participated in the flea market and benefited from a number of activities leading up to the finale,” said Mothibi.
He added that the city was cleaned up by Expanded Public Works Programme workers ahead of the event.
A legal representative for the Unamandla-Isagoentle Foundation, Bernet Letlhogonolo Motlhamme, stated that the allegations that were levelled against his client were unsubstantiated.
“Our client refutes such allegations. Such allegations are denigrating our client’s private event without just cause or any evidentiary proof.”
Motlhamme instructed the DFA to refrain from publishing any story that aimed to tarnish their client’s brand and event.
“Should you be in any breach of our client’s rights, we hold instructions to proceed with legal action against the newspaper as it is clear to our client that personal agendas are being pushed through the DFA.”
The Department of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism and Northern Cape Tourism, which were listed as sponsors on the banners of the pageant, did not respond to media enquiries by the time of publication.