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18 March 2022 | Story Nonkululeko Nxumalo | Photo Supplied
Uyleta Nel-Marais
Mrs Universe SA 2022, Uyleta Nel-Marais.

Uyleta Nel-Marais, a former Law student from the University of the Free State (UFS), has been crowned Mrs Universe South Africa 2022 and will be representing SA at the Mrs Universe finals to be held in South Korea in April 2023.

With the aim of inspiring and empowering married and divorced women, crowning for the pageant took place in Pretoria last month. “I cried so much when I heard my name announced as the winner. The first thing I did was wave to my family; their support has been incredible and so important to me on this journey,” she said.

Nel-Marais, who graduated from the UFS in 2015, is the founder of the One Nation: Our Women and Children against Gender-Based Violence initiative, a practising attorney, and director at a law firm in Bloemfontein. When asked how she balances her work and modelling, Nel-Marais emphasised organisation and prioritisation. “You have to plan your week ahead, while also leaving that space open for anything unexpected. Be flexible and organise your time as far as possible.”


Modelling journey

Nel-Marais has never given modelling a thought before. “I was too busy studying,” she laughed. Her journey started in 2019 when she was invited to walk at a fashion show in Boksburg. She later walked the runway during New York Fashion Week in 2020 and took part in Top Model (now known as Opulent Models) that same year. “Modelling wasn’t something I planned, it just happened, and things picked up so quickly,” she stated.

Why she entered Mrs Universe SA

“I enjoy being on the ramp, it’s one of my favourite things to do. My heart has also always been with charities, even before the crown. With this pageant, I saw an opportunity to be on the ramp and make a difference. Why not, I thought. Mrs Universe SA’s biggest aim is to fight gender-based violence, so I knew that this was definitely for me,” she highlighted.

When asked what she would say to that woman who dreams of wearing the Mrs Universe SA crown one day, she replied: “Just do it! Take the chance and just do it. Life is short,” she said. “With COVID, we’ve seen how things can change in the blink of an eye. Stop doubting yourself, grab that opportunity and just do it. What do you have to lose?”

The beauty, who hails from Cradock in the Eastern Cape, hopes to inspire others to believe that they can be anything they want to be through hard work, tenacity, and determination.

Nel-Marais is part of a long list of UFS students who have represented the country in beauty pageants. In 2014, former UFS student Rolene Strauss was crowned Miss World during the international pageant held in the UK, and Thato Mosehle, another alumna, was runner-up in the Miss Supranational pageant held in Poland in 2021.


News Archive

KovsieSport celebrates three varsity tournaments' titles
2015-04-21

Both staff and students celebrated the Shimlas, KovsieTennis, and KovsieNetball’s achievements.
Photos: Hannes Pieterse

 

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In this week of graduation ceremonies, the University of the Free State had more than its academic achievements to celebrate. The Shimlas’ brilliant triumph in the Varsity Cup as well as the achievements by KovsieTennis and Kovsie Netball was celebrated at a colourful event on the Bloemfontein Campus.

At the celebrations, which were well supported by the campus community, the Vice-Chancellor and Rector, Prof Jonathan Jansen, congratulated all three teams on their outstanding achievements. Not only did the Shimlas walk off with the Varsity Cup, they also won every game they played. AJ Coertzen, the Shimlas’ captain, said: “Although we were well prepared and physically fit, the fact that we played for one another contributed much to our success. As a team, we have grown from friends to brothers.”

KovsieTennis was congratulated on wearing the USSA tennis crown for the fourth consecutive year. In addition, they have the following triumphs to their name: 2007 – SASSU (South African Students Sports Union) (Ladies); 2008 – USSA (University Sport South Africa) (Ladies) and 2009 USSA (Men). Duke Munroe, captain of the KovsieTennis team took the opportunity to thank the team personnel. He believes that hard work behind the scenes by the coach, Marnus Kleinhans, and the team manager, Janine de Kock, contributed greatly to the team’s success.

KovsieNetball was also praised for their successes. In 2014, under the captaincy of Karla Mostert, they won gold at the Varsity Netball championships. They also won the National Premier League. The UFS is also proud of its netball players in various national teams: SA Under 19-23, the Protea groups, and the SA University team.

At the celebrations, Karla said: “The environment and the people you surround yourself with dictate how easily you achieve success. Our achievements and successes are evidence of the quality of the coaches, supporters, and facilities available to us.

After the event on the Red Square, the teams made an appearance in the Callie Human Centre, where they were enthusiastically congratulated by graduands, their families and the university management. Dr Khotso Mokhele, Chancellor of the UFS, also praised the teams for their achievements. “You are a team without individual stars. That is the sort of team I want to be part of.”

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