Newly crowned Miss Face of the Bay, Greshanda Bowers from Gelvandale, has pledged to leverage her title to empower women and girls through outreach programmes, building on the pageant’s mission of female empowerment and personal growth.
Spearheaded by Candice Heynes, Brand Ambassador, the crowning event, which took place on November 9 at the Boardwalk International Convention Centre, transformed an ordinary night into an extraordinary celebration of beauty, talent, and empowerment.
With the stage set for a crowning event that has already left an indelible mark on the community, Heynes said that the finalists took to the runway in a display of poise and grace, each one embodying the confidence and individuality the competition celebrates.
She said that the contestants dazzled the audience with a variety of fashion statements, from avant-garde creations to timeless, classic elegance.
While each model brought her flair to the competition, Heynes said that only one could walk away with the prestigious crown.
She said that the energy of the evening was amplified by a powerful live performance from local artist, Verd, whose electrifying music elevated the atmosphere and built anticipation for the crowning ceremony.
Finally, as the excitement reached a fever pitch, Bowers was crowned the first Miss Face of the Bay, with Nadeema Limson as the runner-up and Ursula Sauls in third place.
“This momentous achievement not only celebrated the winner but also symbolised the empowerment of young women in the community, creating a legacy that will inspire future contestants,” said Heynes.
Unlike traditional beauty pageants, Miss Face of the Bay’s focus on empowering women through self-actualisation and confidence-building resonated deeply with Bowers, motivating her to enter the competition.
“The experience was life changing as the competition is not focused on beauty but on women’s empowerment. It’s beauty with a purpose and the journey offered an opportunity to make a difference and grow as a person,” said Bowers.
Despite not having any prior experience participating in pageants, she said that being crowned Miss Face of the Bay was an overwhelming and humbling feeling.
Bowers said that winning was also a reminder that hard work does pay off.
“This platform will allow me to change ordinary to extraordinary by hosting events to raise funds for organisations in need and to be a voice of change,” said Bowers.
Looking ahead, she said that she plans to take the Face of the Bay brand to newer heights and continue to uphold its standards of consistency and transparency.
Bowers said that she also plans to host outreach programmes where she will share her experiences of overcoming the challenges she has faced in life.
“By sharing my experiences, I hope to encourage others like how Face of the Bay encouraged me to overcome difficulties by boosting my confidence and helping me to believe in myself,” said Bowers.
The event also welcomed distinguished guests, including members of the Nelson Mandela Bay Mayoral Committee, Speaker Eugene Johnson, former MMC Bradley Murray, and MMC Bongekile Mankahla, representing the Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts, and Culture.
Heynes said that it was important to ensure that the event aligned with her goal of inspiring the next generation of young women to pursue their dreams.
Thankfully, she said that her planning and passion for the pageant industry created an event that celebrated local talent and offered a powerful message of empowerment.
Heynes further said that Bowers being crowned as Miss Face of the Bay was a defining moment that underscored the event’s impact on the local arts and fashion scene.
“Greshanda’s crowning exemplified how, with the right platform, stars can be born, dreams can flourish, and extraordinary stories can be written. This event was more than a pageant; it was a celebration of ambition, resilience, and the power of believing in oneself, reminding the community that anything is possible when passion meets opportunity,” said Heynes.
With Miss Face of the Bay setting a new standard, she looks forward to many more incredible events in the future.
“The crowning ceremony did not just end a competition; it also marked the beginning of a legacy that will inspire generations to come,” said Heynes.
She further thanked all the sponsors who contributed to the success of the event.
In preparation for the next event, Heynes said that entries for Miss Teen 2025 Face of the Bay would be open from November 22 to 24 at Baywest Mall.
