Margaret Gardiner, South Africa’s first woman to be crowned Miss Universe, reflects on her journey to Mexico in 1978, when she was crowned. A proud moment, Gardiner says, was walking the stage in her national costume.
ALSO SEE: Bryoni Govender scoops two shining titles for Africa at Miss Supranational
July marks 46 years since South Africa’s first Miss Universe, Margaret Gardiner, was crowned in Mexico, in 1978.
The 64-year-old beauty queen recently took to Instagram, reflecting on the day she walked her national costume on the Miss Universe stage.
View this post on Instagram
“This July I celebrate a huge honour in representing my country in Mexico 46 years ago and becoming the first Miss Universe from South Africa, an honour that stood for almost 40 years before I was joined by two incredible women Demi-Leigh Tebow in 2017 & Zozibini Tunzi in 2019,” wrote Gardiner.
The caption is accompanied a snap of South Africa’s Miss Universe of 1978 proudly sporting her national costume. A dazzling blue ensemble that represented South Africa’s indigenous ostrich, the Protea national flower, and the blue of the sky and seas.
“Walking the stage in this national costume that represented the indigenous ostrich and our national flower the protea, the blue of the sky and ocean. [This] made me so proud, which I think you can see in this photo from almost 46 years ago,” wrote the beauty queen.
Looking back at her welcome parade when she returned to South Africa from the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico in 1978, Gardiner says that she was swept away by the support of the hundreds who had turned up to see and meet her.
“When I was told there was going to be a parade I was so nervous,” she wrote, “I was [nervous] because we are strong, joyful, supportive people – but we South Africans don’t make a fuss. I actually asked them. Are you sure you want to? No one will be there. Boy was I wrong!” she added.
“Arriving in Cape Town the airport was packed. I just could not believe people had turned up to see me,” wrote the beauty queen.
“As I think about it, my eyes fill with tears. It became on Adderly Street what they call a ticker tape parade. People dropped paper like confetti from the sky so the car filled with it. On the parade in front of the town hall the flower sellers gathered along with throngs of people as far as the eye could see, and showered me with flowers.”
“I’m humbled by the memory, overwhelmed by the kindness, and so very grateful. Thank you.” wrote Gardiner.
As per IOL, Gardiner will be attendance of the grand Miss South Africa finale, which is set to take place on Saturday 10 August at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria.
ALSO SEE:
South African doctor makes double history winning Mister Supranational 2024
