Srisubha Addepalli is the new Zee TV Miss India Gauteng
Indian lass Srisubha Addepalli, who has been in South Africa for just 14 months as an IT specialist contract worker for a leading bank here, was Sunday night crowned Zee TV Miss India South Africa Gauteng 2017.
She is seen here with headline sponsor Zee TV CEO Harish Goyal.
The 25-year-old from Andhra Pradesh, who entered the pageant as a challenge from her friends, beat eight other locally-born finalists to get a shot at the national title, when winners from other provinces of South Africa will vie for the opportunity to represent the country at the international Miss India Worldwide title.
“I am working as a senior software automation engineer on assignment from my company Wipro Technologies developing software for the bank here,” Addepalli said after thrilling the judges with her dance item in the talent segment, which was part of several segments of the contest, the others being modelling Indian and Western garments and answering questions from the judges.
“Dance is my passion and because we were only allowed a maximum of three minutes, I chose three segments to represent different parts of my life.
“I was born and brought up in a combined family where all the emotions are very smooth and gentle, so I first portrayed myself as a gentle lady; and then when I experienced sadness and troubles in my life, such as the loss of my father; and finally, I showed my search for who I am really am through confidence; all in that short time,” Addepalli said.
The judges hailed her facial expressions as well as her dance movements, which she recalled from her childhood classes in kuchipudi, she said.
Addepalli will also be auditioned by Zee TV, which was a headline sponsor of the event.
Farook Khan, who initiated the Miss India South Africa Pageant 27 years ago, said it was the second time in its history that an India-born entrant had won the Gauteng pageant.
“Ayushi Chhabra, who won the title in 2009, has gone on to become a renowned model and actress in New York,” Khan said.
“We have always believed that the pageant should be open to anyone who subscribes to the ethos of our unique Indian culture, irrespective of origin,” Khan added.
At the same event, Ruzelle Govender from Morningside in Durban, seen here with her husband Denzil, beat four other finalists, all married women, to be crowned Empress India.