Bio
Caylene Marais is a South African model best known for being one of the Top 12 finalists in the 2014 Miss South Africa pageant.
Miss SA Q&A
Region
Roodekrans, Roodepoort, Gauteng
Age
23
Occupation
I have just completed my BA Languages degree in English, majoring in copywriting and editing at the University of Pretoria. I started this degree with a passion for language and writing, only to find that editing is where my talent really lies.
Other than that, I have internationally recognised master's qualifications in neuro-linguistic programming, hypnotherapy and timeline therapy. Combining these two elements has placed me at the head of communications for the World Shakers History Makers organisation.
What lessons did you learn during The Road to Miss SA TV shoot at Sun City?
Each challenge seemed to confront some sort of barrier in my personality and forced me to break through each of these. Questions that I had been struggling with for the past few months regarding who I am and what I stand for were all answered during these challenges.
I don't know if these challenges were created to test specific aspects of who we believe we are, but for me they certainly did and I have grown immensely in my self-belief since then.
Most importantly, I have learned that I am all I need, I am the problem and I am the solution - if it's to be it's up to me.
What were the highlights of your Sun City stay?
One thing that stands out, which I learnt from my fellow finalists is that laughter makes a long day pass that much quicker. No matter how exhausted you are, if you can bring a smile to someone's face it'll go a long way for all parties involved.
I've also had a very important lesson verified - people will forget what you said and what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel, so treat people well.
Previous beauty competitions/pageants won
I am an avid pageant poppie as they say. I have won several, my most recent being Miss Million Dollar 2012 and Miss Rivonia 2013.
Why do you want to be Miss SA and what do you think you will be able to bring to the role?
My life has changed drastically over the past two or three years. Through my NLP and metaphysical studies, and having qualified as a life coach, I have learnt many life lessons and principles in which I believe.
If given a big enough platform, I could completely change society. Many of our youth have the basics to survive, and there are many charities that provide these basics, but so many neglect to acknowledge that emotional starvation is more severe than anything else.
Above that, people need not only receive food, water, and shelter, but they also need an opportunity to grow and change their environment. As Miss SA, my goal is to empower South Africans with the emotional, spiritual, and mental tools to enable them to rise above their circumstances and grow into successful citizens and content human beings.
Who is a previous Miss SA who has inspired you?
I don't have one particular favourite – I admire each of them for the role they have played in our country.
Who are your role models?
I am fortunate enough to have met several of the most inspirational people not only in South Africa, but the world. I constantly seek inspiration and because of this, I have learned that there is not one single person that completely embodies all the traits that inspire me. I value everyone that crosses my path for their contribution to my learning.
Tell us a bit more about your family?
I believe that in any family, if you had to put all the members in a blender and blend them together you would end up with a perfectly neutral concoction. You all end up balancing each other's different (and sometimes opposite), personalities. This is certainly the case in my family with my mom, dad and younger brother.
What do you do in your spare time?
I enjoy being outdoors whenever possible; any outdoor activities top my list, specifically camping, hiking, and horse-riding. I am a gym fanatic. Fitness is very important to me so I make sure that I make time for training too.
2014 is the year in which SA celebrates its 20th year of democracy – what does that mean to you?
I was raised in a household where colour was never acknowledged. People were not black or white, people were people, and they were all to be treated with equal respect and dignity.
The celebration of our 20th year of democracy, to me, is simply the celebration of the formalisation of what I was always taught to believe. The only difference now, is that those marginalised South Africans have been afforded the opportunity to exercise that belief both publically and politically.
What is your message to young girls and young women in South Africa?
You are everything you need! You are the solution!
If you won the Miss SA crown and was able to meet one person, who would it be and why?
I would love the opportunity to have a conversation with Patrice Motsepe. I don't believe that our generation is aware of the massive contribution he has made, and continues to make, to our country.
What is the one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I find that because of my history in pageants, and the stereotypes that are associated with pageant girls, people find it surprising that I have a brain and (on occasion), a personality!
Also, I have represented my province in judo, water polo and horse-riding. Lastly, I am not double, but triple-jointed.
What are you reading?
Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights (only because I have to).
What is on your iPod?
The only time I use my iPod is at gym, so the general theme of what comes out of those earphones is anything that might make my grandma cringe. It's really loud and really packs a punch – because it has to get me pumped. A lot of dubstep and Skrillex.
Your favourite TV show?
I wish I valued TV enough to say, but I don't, and am thus still on season 2 of Grey's Anatomy.
Your favourite meal?
I think my vocation in life is to be a devoted foodie. I love food possibly more than I should admit. I try not to eat everything I see but having a dad who is a chef makes dieting the most difficult thing to do. I'm definitely a fan of homely meals so a good old braai tops my list.