South Africa is proud of Miss Rolene Strauss for bringing the Miss World 2014 crown.
Miss World 2014 announced Miss South Africa, 22-year-old Rolene Strauss, as the new title holder in London Sunday, according to Yahoo! News.
One hundred twenty-one contestants competed for the Miss World title in the 64th annual competition. The surprised Strauss held her hands firmly while Miss World 2013 Megan Young of the Philippines crowned the candidate at the Excel London ICC Auditorium. Miss Hungary Edina Kulcsar, 24, was the runner-up while 22-year-old Miss United States Elizabeth Safrit came third.
Strauss offered the crown to her homeland and prepared herself for the responsibility that came with the title.
"South Africa this is for you," Strauss said. "I think I will brace myself for what's about to happen. It's a huge responsibility."
"I come from a country where people believed in a brighter future, and in 2014 because of that belief South Africa's celebrating 20 years of democracy," Strauss continued.
The newly-crowned Miss world said that she wanted to give her attention in spreading education in her country, helping them realize and achieve their dreams, according to News.com.au.
"I am what I am today because of the opportunities I have received and I would love to give others the same opportunities; educating, the opportunity to be educated, to make healthy choices and also to live their dreams," Strauss said.
Strauss is a daughter of a doctor and a nurse and is currently a fourth-year medical student, according to Stuff.co.nz. She said that she's getting the hang of wearing the shining crown.
"I'll definitely keep it on as long as I can but my parents are staying around here so they'll be hugging me and I'm afraid that it might fall off," she said.
Miss World 2014 suffered a loss of a contender after Miss Honduras, 19-year-old Maria Jose Alvarado, was murdered along with her sister in the previous month. Strauss and other Miss World contestants will visit Honduras to build an educational institution in honor of the sister.
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