Garden Route beauty is Miss Universe

Update Video

INTERNATIONAL NEWS AND VIDEOS - Miss South Africa 2017, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters from Sedgefield, was crowned Miss Universe 2017 earlier this morning.

Demi-Leigh matriculated from Outeniqua High School in 2013 where she was head girl as well as head girl of the school hostel where she stayed.

After the crowing, Demi-Leigh tweeted: "South Africa, thank you for support and love throughout my #MissUniverse journey. I may be the new Miss Universe, but I will always be your Miss South Africa - we did it!"

As a Miss SA finalist, on her trip to the Garden Route, Demi-Leigh visited various schools and welfare organisations in eight of the nine provinces, bringing joy and hope to learners and those who really just needed a hug and love.

Frans de Swardt, Demi’s hostel father and favourite teacher, was in contact on WhatsApp with Demi’s excited mother, Anne-Marie Steenkamp, who was in the audience at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

He said: “Anne-Mari just had a feeling that Demi would be crowned Miss Universe."

He added: "Her biggest asset is that she is humble and focused.

“This is Demi, she is a people’s person who expects nothing in return, and this is how I know her.”

Addressing an assembly at her alma mater as Miss SA earlier this year, Demi-Leigh said: “On my previous visit as a Miss SA finalist I told you that I have achieved 50% of my goal as a finalist, as Miss SA was my goal. Today as Miss SA 2017 I feel that I am still at 50% as the goalposts have moved. Now Miss Universe 2017 is my goal. Only if you challenge yourself will you succeed in life.”

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