Latest news with #Protea
3 days ago
- Entertainment
Rigged? Zoalize fails to make Miss World Top 40
South African pageant fans are crying foul after Zoalize Jansen van Rensburg failed to place in the Top 40 of the Miss World on Saturday, 31 May. The law student was a clear favourite in the run-up to the finale, and she even scooped the award for best designer for her gown inspired by SA's national flower, the Protea. Miss World – which took place in India – was won by Thailand's Opal Suchata. Despite being hailed as a strong contender, Zoalize van Rensburg's fans were shocked when she failed to make the Top 40 or quarter-finals. The first round saw over 100 contestants being whittled down to just 40 finalists – ten for each continental region. Africa's finalists were Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Namibia, Nigeria, Somalia, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Ultimately, Ethiopia's Hasset Dereje was crowned Miss World Africa. Opal Suchata later became the first Thai representative to be crowned Miss World. On social media, pageant fans were shocked that many of their favourites – particularly South Africa's Zoalize – had not made the cut. Pageant enthusiast @the_pageant_prince was shocked at South Africa's exclusion, posting,' Zoalize was loved and the winner on so many pages. And to not make the Top 40, what? It's just not possible!' Others like @ntsxki called out Miss World for essentially rigging the pageant, posting, 'They're eliminating the competition for their pre-determined winner'. Another, @meli0.2 added of Zoalize being snubbed: 'Daylight robbery'. While Miss World South Africa has not officially commented on Zoalize Jansen van Rensburg's early exit, franchise owner Carol Bouwer did repost a telling message from a pageant fan account. It read: 'Today's outcome was deeply disappointing. I know that many people are expecting an outrage from us. But I do hope that we will keep calm and accept the Miss World organisation's decision. 'Speaking ill will not only reflect on us bad as a country. But mess up chances for other representatives in the future'. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Otago Daily Times
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Currently trending
As the temperatures drop, Josie Steenhart checks in with three of our most loved fashion designers - Kowtow's Dayne Johnston, Juliette Hogan and Sara Aspinall of Company of Strangers - on what's in, what never went out, what they're loving and what they're doing (and wearing) for the winter ahead. What are you most excited about fashion this season? Dayne Johnston: I've always been a winter person - I grew up in Wānaka in a colder climate, so this season just feels right to me. I love the opportunity winter gives you to build out a look and really compose it. It's not just a shirt and trousers; it's a long sleeve under a tee, knitwear under a coat, all those interesting layers. Suddenly your wardrobe becomes more dynamic - pieces you've had tucked away get a second life. You pull them out, rework them and suddenly something old feels brand new. One of the most inspiring moments for me this season was during our campaign shoot, we styled the Kowtow Sienna top over the Landscape trench. That kind of layering, where sleeve lengths clash in the best way, creates depth and texture. It's a reminder that winter dressing can be fun, expressive and thoughtful. Juliette Hogan: I'm especially excited about our Cassia coat - it feels like the ultimate winter indulgence. Beautifully tailored with a refined ease that finishes any outfit. Sara Aspinall: I'm obsessed with shirts at the moment. I love layering them under my knitwear, or worn over a dress or layer like a jacket. We did a long paisley shirt printing like a men's suit lining and I ordered loads of Lela Jacobs knitwear to wear over this print - the colours are so good together. Favourite international winter fashion trend you're hoping will take off here? Dayne Johnston: I'm loving vintage cowboy boots. They've got this history to them - traditional, lived-in and they bring such personality to a look. We styled them into our campaign shoot and they really defined the look. It felt unexpected in the context of our world, but it worked. We did it the Kowtow way - sourcing a vintage pair from one of our team. There's a rugged elegance and story to them. Juliette Hogan: I'm loving the shift away from chunky sneakers towards a more refined, ballet-inspired silhouette. It feels fresh, sophisticated and perfectly complements the soft, layered looks that are coming through this season. Sara Aspinall: I'm quite oblivious to trends, although while in Denmark last year I was so impressed with their sustainability dressing: something new, something old, well-styled together. Great design is always 'trending' in my opinion. Favourite colours/materials/styles coming through? Dayne Johnston: I'm really drawn to the Dark Spice colourway we've just released. It's our seasonal neutral and it carries so much warmth and richness. It's like cinnamon in colour form. We've paired it with forest greens, and those earthy tones are then lifted by the new Protea print, which adds brightness and softness. Together, they bring this elevation to the palette that feels both grounded and refined. We've also been working with ripstop, a utilitarian weave we've made in our Fairtrade organic cotton. It's traditionally workwear, but the Echo jacket and Parker pant we've made from it feel refined and wearable for everyday. It's hard-wearing, durable and versatile. Something you can wear walking the city or just walking the dog. Juliette Hogan: It's always black for me - you just can't beat its versatility and impact. But I'm also drawn to rich, deep greens at the moment. I'm loving the re-emergence of lace too, especially when it's done in a modern, restrained way. Our Rosetta dress is a beautiful example - an elevated, timeless piece that brings just the right amount of texture and romance to winter dressing. Sara Aspinall: Always, for me, natural fibres, wools, cottons. I'm loving our winter shorts - the wool plaid Love shorts - to wear with long boots. I love wearing shorts under dresses too, the Kamikaze dress is a great piece for that. Loving New Lands knitwear colours, they are working so nicely with everything too! Also, starting from the base up with comfortable but beautiful lingerie has become important to me. Ohen, a New Zealand brand in store, is made for women of all sizes - this is a hard market but they've nailed these shapes and great colours. I'm in love with the Sable and Sand colours, so will be adding another Teardrop bra and matching French briefs to the collection! I've road-tested these for over a year and the quality is incredible. We find women with larger cups struggle to find anything sexy and Ohen is perfect for our customers! The winter piece you're most lusting after? Dayne Johnston: The new Kowtow Jasper hoodie, hands down. It's got this fleecy brushed interior that I'm just obsessed with. We're heading into the cold here in Wellington and I honestly might just head downstairs and grab it now. It's the kind of hoodie that feels like a hug. Juliette Hogan: I'm constantly reaching for our Perino knits this season. They offer the perfect mix of warmth, lightness and softness - effortless to layer and they instantly lift every winter look. Sara Aspinall: Every year I want the Lela Jacobs Duster coat, although I seem to always miss out! I am getting a U Turtle in Midnight this year though! What's an old wardrobe favourite you'll be dusting off for the winter ahead? Dayne Johnston: I have this incredible black Raf Simons wool felt coat. I found it in Paris and it was too heavy to wear when I lived in Auckland. But now that I'm in Wellington it's perfect. It's one of those pieces I always take with me to Europe in winter. Juliette Hogan: Tailored black trousers - they really are the ultimate staple. I'll be revisiting our Luxe Suiting styles from past collections - they slot seamlessly alongside new-season pieces and just get better with time. Sara Aspinall: Always my 23-year-old Ann D boots; they work with everything, a wise investment! Also, my Data trench from last winter's collection - we didn't do a coat this year because I don't see why you need a new coat every year if you've invested in a great one already. Also, the colours we did work so well with this collection too - we very much plan our collections to wear with our past and present collection colours. Timelessness is so important. What was the inspiration for your winter collection? Dayne Johnston: The inspiration came from the landscapes around and within us - celebrating the connection we have with our surroundings. We played a lot with scale, proportion and form. I think it's best expressed in the Cityscape print which was born from a long exposure photograph I took on my phone, capturing the lights and reflections on the harbour at night when I first moved to Te Whanganui-a-tara, Wellington. The print feels really special to me and captures the energy of this beautiful place. Seeing this juxtaposed against the earthy tones in our latest drop, really brings the inspiration of the collection together. Juliette Hogan: This season was about resilience and softness co-existing - designing pieces that feel strong yet considered and easy to wear. You see that balance with our tailored outerwear and softer fluid pieces like the Coco Pleat dress, where structure and delicacy meet. Sara Aspinall: Our Midnight Net print, which has the lyrics from my favourite PJ Harvey song 'We Float' scrawled over it. This is the last New Zealand-printed textile we will be able to produce due to the closure of another great manufacturing company. It's critical New Zealand-made is supported so we can see our industry fashion endure. In the Harvey dress and the Kamikaze dress, we played with using existing patterns to repeat or flip to make new shapes and silhouettes, like upside-down sleeves for sleeve details or sleeves as skirt shapes. What are some of your plans for the season ahead? Dayne Johnston: I've just wrapped designing our collection for the second half of 2026 so I'm ready for a bit of a reset. I'll be taking a break, travelling, getting some new perspectives before diving into the next creative cycle. I always find it hard to leap straight from one collection into another - there needs to be a pause. A space to reflect, recharge and redirect. Juliette Hogan: Winter is all about layering and texture for me. I'll be wearing lace dresses layered over black pants, Perino knits under coats and sweaters draped over the shoulders or tied at the neck for added warmth and style - pieces that feel wrapped up but still feeling refined. Sara Aspinall: This winter I'm breaking my usual hibernation pattern and have plans to get to loads of gigs, so I'll be wearing comfortable layers so I can be ready for anything! My Wollow sneakers (a new Danish brand we have in store) - they feel like Birkenstocks but for winter! Worn with my Polly top and probably Lust pants as they are so easy to wear with anything! Also, Lela Jacobs U Arms as they are perfect for throwing over the shoulders or wearing like a scarf. So versatile - I end up tying these around myself when I get hot so I don't lose them!
News18
21-05-2025
- Sport
- News18
'Someone Like Axar...': Du Plessis Rues Patel Absence As MI Hammer DC
Last Updated: May 22, 2025, 00:21 IST 'Someone like Axar on a wicket like that, if you look at the way Mitch Santner bowled, you'd understand, they are similar bowlers," De Plessis said. Delhi also missed the abilities of star seamer Mitchell Star, however, a spinner such as Axar would have been worth his weight in gold on a track that supported spin, the South African opined. 'Axar is an international proven bowler. Starc is a fantastic bowler, but spinner on a wicket like that is worth gold," he added. Delhi missed out on a qualification spot following the defeat, but Du Plessis expressed delight on the fight his side put up on the field. 'We were excellent today in the field. The guys showed great fight. The bowlers pitched up, obviously not the easiest pitch to bat on, probably made the bowlers' job a little bit easier," he said. 'Still, it's a very strong batting line-up and I thought we were excellent and then let slip in the last 2 overs," the 40-year-old reflected. He touched upon the importance of momentum in the sport of cricket and likened the fixture to that of David vs Goliath in terms of how it was poised ahead of the toss. 'Momentum is a real thing in cricket, the way they counterpunched to get almost 50 in the last 2 overs, all the hard work that we did for 17-18 overs lost that momentum," the Protea batter said. 'If you looked at the two teams before today's fixture, it was a case of David and Goliath, I enjoy that because it gives guys the opportunity to really play together as a team," he added. Du Plessis also lauded the efforts of youngsters in the Capital city side and drew parallels between their showing in the game and their season at large. 'Credit to them, Rizvi today showed some signs, he's got some talent there," Du Plessis heaped praise on the youngster.
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
IPL 2025: Vaibhav sparkles as Rajasthan Royals trounce Chennai Super Kings by six wickets
With skipper Sanju Samon (41) he raised a match-winning 98-run stand for the second wicket. The skipper was happy playing second fiddle to the teenager. It was only the fourth win of the season for the Royals, who may avoid a last-place finish with Tuesday's victory. After Samson's dismissal, Suryavanshi and Riyan Parag (3) also joined their skipper in the dug out, and it looked like Royals may again snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The equation read 30 off 26 balls, but Dhurv Jurel (31) and Shimron Heymyer (12) carried the side past the finish line. Earlier, Young Ayush Mhatre once again reminded everyone that he is one for the future with a 20-ball 43 that helped CSK huff and puff to a modest 187 for eight. MS Dhoni's team would have been in bigger trouble had Dewald Brevis (42) and Shivam Dube (39) not prevented the innings from falling apart. Dhoni himself could manage only a sedate 16 off 17, failing to provide a late flourish. There was no end to the woes of the his team's floundering middle order. The promising start was frittered away with Devin Conway (10), Urvil Patel (0) struggling to get going, and they had lost half the team inside eight overs. Pacers Yudhvir Singh (3/47) and Akash Madhwal (3/29) shared six wickets between them. Conway began with a fluent drive off Tushar Deshpande, who was mixing up his length nicely, and beat the bat of the New Zealander a number of times. Conway did not last long, offering a simple catch to Parag at mid-off off Yudhvir. He charged down the wicket but just managed to chip the good length ball. Yudhvir struck again, sending back the talented Patel, who went for a big shot but failed to connect, and Kwena Maphaka took a sharp catch at the edge of the circle. Mhatre moved the scoreboard by finding two boundaries off Deshpande, who was hitting the deck hard. R Ashwin's surprise promotion to number four left the fans delighted as the spin all-rounder broke the shackles with a tremendous six on the leg side off Yudhvir. Mhatre also found consecutive boundaries as CSK milked 24 runs in that over. The youngster continued to bat in aggressive fashion, finding a hat-trick of boundaries off Deshpande but the pacer had the last laugh. Soon Ashwin departed and Ravindra Jadeja also could not make any impact, flicking off his legs to Dhruv Jurel, to give Yudhvir his third wicket of the match. The run rate was not an issue, as CSK were going at close to 10 an over but half of the batters were back in the dug out well before the half-way mark. In came Brevis and the South African churned out yet another impact knock, a 25-ball 42. His entraining knock that had three sixes and two fours was ended by Madhwal. But before that, Brevis and Shivam Dube added 59 runs for the sixth wicket to keep CSK in hunt for a 200-plus total. The spectators were on their feet when 'Thala' Dhoni arrived at the fall of the Protea batter. The CSK skipper punished a full-length ball from Riyan Parag for a six, much to the delight of fans as the chants of 'Dhoni' 'Dhoni' reverberated across the stadium. Runs continued to flow from Dube's bat as the tall left-hander dispatched one from Wanindu Hasaranga into the stands. However, the late push never came.
The Citizen
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Local athlete climbs to become a Protea
Northcliff High's very own Chris McGowan is making waves, climbing his own success to be chosen as a member of the Proteas climbing team. Read more: South African climbing sensations selected for IFSC Youth World Championships in China Competing in the South African National Climbing Federation (SANCF) Selections Competition, McGowan secured an impressive second place in both the lead and speed disciplines. He also set a new personal best in speed, clocking in at an astonishing 8.9 seconds. This remarkable performance has earned him a spot as a Protea athlete, allowing him to represent South Africa on the international stage. Reflecting on his achievement, Chris described the moment he realised he had placed second as 'unreal'. After completing his second lead climb, he was initially in disbelief, feeling as though he was living a dream. 'It took a while to sink in,' he said, recalling the excitement of the competition. As he prepares for the upcoming world championships, he expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge ahead. 'It's truly amazing to be chosen as an athlete competing in the world championships. I know it's going to be tough, but I am working hard, training even harder, and staying super focused.' Chris' journey in climbing began at the young age of five, when he first tried the sport for fun. His brother, Michael, played a pivotal role in introducing climbing to Northcliff High by starting the first climbing team. After a hockey injury in Grade 8, Chris joined the team and has been dedicated to the sport ever since. Also read: The Simola Hillclimb 2023 thrilling and spectacular, as promised What he enjoys most about climbing is the combination of physical and mental challenges it presents. 'I love everything about climbing – the thrill of reaching the top, visualising the best routes, and the excitement of 'dino-ing' to that crimp,' he exclaimed. He also appreciates the sense of community within the sport, where climbers encourage one another, regardless of competition. However, the path to success has not been without its obstacles. Chris highlighted the importance of mental state, stating that learning to manage his emotions during challenging climbs has been a significant hurdle. 'It's a big mental game, and you have to be strong in every aspect.' Grateful for the support he receives, Chris acknowledged his family, coaches at Inside Edge, Devin Sender and Chris Buys, as well as the encouragement from Northcliff High and Mr Scott Houston. He is set to compete alongside talented climbers from Johannesburg, including Jemma Erdey, Jasper Marais, and Morgan Atkinson, as he represents South Africa on the Protea team at the prestigious IFSC Youth World Sport Climbing Championships in Helsinki, Finland, this July. In addition, he has also earned a spot to compete in the IFSC European Cup in Bologna, Italy. However the journey is costly, therefore he is pleading for donations. Those interested can kindly donate at: Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Petter Solberg to race at Simola Hillclimb
