Bryoni Govender is a hot contender to win Miss Universe, and it’s partially thanks to the behind-the-scenes work by pageant guru Werner Wessels.
The pint-sized pageant trainer – the creative director behind Miss South Africa – has helped Mzansi bag the titles of two Miss Universe, one Miss World, and one Miss Supranational title wins in his tenure at the organisation.
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BRYONI GOVENDER IS A FAVOURITE AT MISS UNIVERSE
In the latest pageant predictions, Bryoni was named a Top 10 favourite. One pageant fan page, Pageanthology 101, named her their first-place pick.
According to the bronzed bombshell, this has much to do with pageant training from Werner Wessels, which has helped improve her public talking, catwalk, and glamour.
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In one Instagram post, Werner gushed over the law graduate, sharing: “I cannot wait to show the Universe how spectacular you are! Let’s get it girl!”.
WERNER WESSELS: WHO IS THE PAGEANT GURU?
Here are five facts about the Miss SA creative director Werner Wessels.
Coach, creative director, and wardrobe stylist
According to his LinkedIn profile, Werner Wessels worked both as a coach and a wardrobe stylist for the women who win Miss South Africa.
He told radio 702 of his position: “The only thing that I actually do is I just make them realise their own power.
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“I make them realise who they have already been their whole life and just give them the confidence to showcase that to the world.”
A flair for fashion
Miss SA’s winning looks on international stages, like Miss Universe, is thanks to the creativity of Werner Wessels, a fashion graduate who worked as an image consultant.
He added: “I just knew it was going to be something on a global stage… I always knew that I loved fashion and that I loved women.”
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Winning streak
Werner Wessels is the best in the beauty pageant business – and the proof is in the pudding.
Since joining the Miss SA family in 2011, Werner has trained and led the following women to victory:
- Rolene Strauss – crowned Miss World in 2014
- Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters – crowned Miss Universe in 2017
- Tamaryn Green- placed first runner-up in Miss Universe in 2018
- Zozibini Tunzi – crowned Miss Universe in 2019
- Lalela Mswane – crowned Miss Supranational in 2022 and placed second runner-up at Miss Universe, also in 2022
Will Bryoni Govender be the latest queen he helps crown?
Besties with a beauty queen
Werner Wessels and former Miss SA Melinda Bam have been best friends since high school.
He told IOL: “Melinda is my best friend, and I was helping her out preparing for Miss Universe. I didn’t even really know this was a job.”
He’s also close friends with fellow queen Rolene Strauss.
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He’s in love!
Werner Wessels is in a happy, loving relationship with Rossouw Steyn, whom he began dating in 2021.
