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Meet the 24 women vying for The Bachelor SA’s heart

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Cape Town - 24 beautiful women competing for the heart of one lucky man – what could be more romantic?

It’s finally Valentine’s Day, which means we get to meet the women who are on a quest to win the heart of South Africa’s very first Bachelor, Lee Thompson (30), over the 13-episode series.

Let’s get to know them a little bit better…

SANDY THOMPSON (31) (Eliminated)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? I was born in Johannesburg, but I’ve had the awesome privilege of growing up in the small town of Nigel, before moving to Springs for high school. After matriculating my family moved to London and thereafter I completed my studies in Stellenbosch.

What do you do for a living? I partner up with clients and cheer them on as their Personal Trainer as they work to achieve their goals.

Why did you decide to enter the show?I believe that if at first you don’t succeed, you try again… But there’s no point in trying the same method over and over again and expecting a different result.  That’s not going to happen, so why not try again at love – but through a whole different platform where you know you’ll have the opportunity to meet a quality guy. I believe that The Bachelor SA could just be that platform.

What makes you stand out from the rest?If the Bachelor does get to know me, he’ll see that I’m very generous and selfless in my ways and have such a strong desire to see those around me to flourish and reach their full potential. 

KERRY LAMBOURN (30)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? Born and bred in Johannesburg

What do you do for a living? I am a sales rep for a recycling company. I am also currently writing a book and running social media pages on empowering women against abuse. Why did you decide to enter the show?

I wanted to challenge myself and overcome a few of my fears. I never thought I would be able to go on camera, but I pushed myself. I also wanted to find love. I was tired of Tinder and my dad threatening to put me on Farmers’ Weekly.

What makes you stand out from the rest?I saw that most of Lee’s exes were brunette, so I knew I was the perfect fit. I also love fitness and animals – I knew we were meant to be, I could feel it in my bones.

JOZAAN DIGUE (28)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? I was born in Bloemfontein, but I was bred in Pretoria.

What do you do for a living? I’m an attorney.

Why did you decide to enter the show? I wish I could say that I decided to enter, but my best friend actually entered me without my knowledge. Smart girl…

What makes you stand out from the rest?I think what will make me stand out is that I am 100% myself in every situation. I’m also not scared to speak my mind.

NONTOMBI KUZWAYO (28)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? Johannesburg, born and raised.

What do you do for a living? I’m a quantity surveyor and an entrepreneur.

Why did you decide to enter the show? Because I’ve been single forever.

What makes you stand out from the rest? Just being myself.

 

EDITH LESEGO MOOKETSI (27)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from?I am from a small town called Rustenburg in the North West province

What do you do for a living? I am currently working towards becoming admitted as an attorney

Why did you decide to enter the show? The Bachelor was a platform different from the usual dating scene and for me, it meant a new opportunity to potentially find love while challenging myself in an environment I was not accustomed to.

What makes you stand out from the rest? Besides being headstrong, I believe in myself and who I am, which means that in all my flaws, I have a very high regard of myself and that’s something you can’t buy or fake.

TARYN CHAMPION (29) (Eliminated)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? I was born in Durban. Even though my family moved to Johannesburg when I was two years old, I’m a Durbanite at heart.

What do you do for a living? I’m a proposal writer by day and run a small creative agency by night with my best friend/business partner.

Why did you decide to enter the show? Why else? To find love dammit! I feel like our generation is losing the ability to find and fall in love. We care more about instant gratification than we do anything else and this makes meaningful relationships so hard to find.  Nobody wants to work for something real so when I saw that The Bachelor was coming to SA, I thought, why not give it a try? My mom, on the other hand, thought otherwise but I’m known to take risks.

What makes you stand out from the rest? I think the fact that I don’t take things too seriously and know how to have a good time without getting caught up in the emotions of my environment. I also don’t make everything about myself and enjoy getting to know people at a deep level.

SHELLY KHOZA (26)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? Craighall, Johannesburg

What do you do for a living? Just finished studying Business Administration in Illinois, USA.

Why did you decide to enter the show? I have a lot of love to give and I want to share it with a partner. Life is too short to waste away. It is best shared with someone special who fills in the gaps. Not to mention there’s nothing like coming home to the open arms of someone special.

What makes you stand out from the rest? I am very outgoing and I am not afraid of a challenge. I am very goal-oriented, so if I want something I will work hard to get it.

GINA MYERS (31)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? Born and bred in Johannesburg.

What do you do for a living? I am a make-up artist and everything else I do stems from that.

Why did you decide to enter the show? I entered because I believe in fairytales and I believe that no matter what, great love exists. I’m a hopeless romantic. I also believe in trusting where I am. Wherever that it is, will lead me to where I need to be.

What makes you stand out from the rest? My corny jokes make me unforgettable. And my eyelashes.

ANNALENE MADURAMUTHU (29)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? Johannesburg

What do you do for a living? Accounting.

Why did you decide to enter the show? When M-Net did an activation to motivate girls to enter the show, my sister wanted a rose from the promo guys and they told her she had to enter to get one, so she made me enter just for the rose. I did not expect to actually be on the show.

What makes you stand out from the rest? The way I think – I am a very decisive and strategic person.

JENNA CARMEN LITHGOW (29)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? I am originally from Durban but I re-located to Cape Town. I am between Cape Town and Durban a lot.

What do you do for a living? I am an online transformation coach. I run my own fitness programmes on jennacarmen.com

Why did you decide to enter the show? I wanted the fairytale of true love.

DANEAL CATELLE (26)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? I currently live in Johannesburg.

What do you do for a living? I am a digital marketing strategist.

Why did you decide to enter the show? My friends entered me into The Bachelor SA, as we are fans of the show. The Bachelor is meant to be an alternative way of finding love.

What makes you stand out from the rest? I believe that my authenticity and easy-going nature will make me stand out.

KIM GREY (28)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? I was born in Joburg, moved to Knysna for high school and then followed my heart to Cape Town.

What do you do for a living? I own a digital marketing agency specialising in building market awareness for feel-good lifestyle brands.

Why did you decide to enter the show? I believe in universal synchronicities. I was travelling up to Johannesburg with a client, as we were driving into Sandton, my client asked me about my relationship status. At that exact moment, we saw the billboard calling for women to apply online. We laughed and believed it was a sign. So that night in the hotel room I took out my laptop and sent in my application. I thought, if it happens it happens, if it doesn’t – well then at least I tried. A few intense interviews and psychological evaluations later I received the phone call to tell me I was in. It was a little surreal, I wasn’t really expecting it. You can only make your dreams come true if you back your dreams up with action.

What makes you stand out from the rest? I am not entering myself into a competition, I don’t see this as an accolade or a possession to win. I am here to take a chance and if the extraordinary manifests its way into my reality with an incredible human being on the other side and we just connect with ease on multiple levels, then that could result in something that would be life-changing. As open-minded as I might be, I strongly value old world traditions and values.

 

MICHELLE DU PLESSIS (33)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? Pretoria

What do you do for a living? I own an online fashion business – Macaroon Collection.

Why did you decide to enter the show? Loving the show so much… and being single when the entries opened I was like “why not? Worst case: I have the time of my life on the show. Best case: I meet my Prince Charming?”

What makes you stand out from the rest? I think I am pretty realistic and level-headed about the world. Also, I know who I am, and what I want from life.

LUCY THOMPSON (32)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? Springs, my boet.

What do you do for a living? Sales Executive for a shipping company

Why did you decide to enter the show? I’m hoping to find my special someone.

What makes you stand out from the rest? I’m a girl who knows what I want and am not afraid to get what I want.

 

THENJIWE BHENGU (24)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? I'm originally from Pietermaritzburg, KZN but I grew up in Johannesburg.

What do you do for a living? I'm a sports coach.

Why did you decide to enter the show? I honestly did it out of curiosity. I was always that girl that asked myself why anyone would go on a show to look for love, and was very judgemental about it. I told myself I would never do that, but look at me now.

What makes you stand out from the rest? I'm me, and I don't strive to be anyone or anything else. I'm a force to be reckoned with and I think I bring something different to the table.

 

MILISHA HANUMAN (33)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? Bromhof, Johannesburg.

What do you do for a living? I work in Financial Services and Operations.

Why did you decide to enter the show? I’ve spent several years abroad in Boston, Massachusetts, and by the time I came back to South Africa, most of my friends were already married. I thought that being on The Bachelor South Africa would be a “non -traditional” and fun way to find love. So when a group of work colleagues asked if they could enter me in, I said yes.

What makes you stand out from the rest? I’ve lived and studied in Boston Massachusetts for over 6 years and since being back in South Africa I have dated men across different cultures and from all walks of life. I feel like I have the confidence, experience and wisdom it takes to be on a show like this.

 

KELLY TIEGAN (23)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? Johannesburg

What do you do for a living? I own a sustainable lifestyle company (Siréne Lifestyle) and a digital marketing agency (Leisure Luxe Agency). I’m also a travel and is lifestyle blogger.

Why did you decide to enter the show? I didn’t want to go on Tinder again or put in the effort to go out and meet men. I really needed a romantic date (for a change) and taking a break from work sounded great.

What makes you stand out from the rest? I’m adventurous and up for anything. I love being in front of the camera. And I think I’m Lee’s dream girl. I love fitness, am entrepreneurial and consider myself an (Instagram) model at times – we’re basically twins.

 

JACQUELINE RAMOS-PINTO (29)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? A small town girl at heart, I was born and raised in the town of Klerksdorp situated in the North West.  After a few years of studying and working in different parts of South Africa, loving the hustling energy of a big city, I settled in Fourways, Johannesburg, where I currently live and work.

What do you do for a living? I’m a pre-school teacher and online business owner specialising in luxury leather embossing.

Why did you decide to enter the show? To possibly find a love like that of my parents. They’ve been married for 32 years and are the very definition of true love.

What makes you stand out from the rest? The fact that I am “super open” and sometimes I'm also funny. 

CHANTELLE VAN AARDE (26) (Eliminated)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? I grew up in Middelburg, Mpumalanga. But currently live and work in Pretoria.

What do you do for a living? I am a chemical engineer. Finished my Masters in 2018 (part-time) and starting on my PhD this year.

Why did you decide to enter the show? I believe that the most growth comes from personal challenges. For me, exposing myself and my life so publicly, are quite challenging. I also wanted to show myself that I can be confident and vulnerable at the same time. 

What makes you stand out from the rest? I am very enthusiastic and aspire to make the most of opportunities. 

 

MICHELLE REDDY (29)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? Durban

What do you do for a living? Consumer Marketing Specialist.

Why did you decide to enter the show? After two years of the single life, I decided to take a chance on love. With a busy schedule, work, social and sport I didn’t have the time to explore the possibility of a person in my life. The show is quite a public affair, I have a curious mind which fit perfect and therefore took on this venture to begin my love story.

What makes you stand out from the rest? Well, I’ve been told that I’m a well refined woman who listens more and talks less. I use these traits to my advantage within an audience. Captivation is an art over a skill in my opinion.

 

MBALI MKHIZE (26)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? Centurion

What do you do for a living? Beauty blogger and beauty entrepreneur

Why did you decide to enter the show? I entered to find love.

What makes you stand out from the rest? There can only be one me and that will always make me stand out.

 

NATASHA HARDCASTLE (31)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? Cape Town

What do you do for a living? Scientist. Neuroscientist by qualification, currently working on cancer diagnostics for my doctorate.

Why did you decide to enter the show? My friends entered me over a Nando’s dinner for fun.

What makes you stand out from the rest? I’m genuine and not afraid to be myself – nerdy, quirky and uncool but lovable if you take the time to know me.

 

CHANIEËL DU PLESSIS (28)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? Currently living in Johannesburg, originally from Hartenbos/Mosselbay

What do you do for a living? Modelling.

Why did you decide to enter the show? I entered for the challenge. I’ve always wanted to try a reality TV show and thought I’ll give this one a try.

What makes you stand out from the rest? I think the way I carry myself and my smile makes me stand out from the rest.

AMERICA GOPIE (25)

the bachelor sa, bachelor ladies

Where are you from? Dundee, KZN.

What do you do for a living? I am an admitted attorney.

Why did you decide to enter the show? I believe that love presents itself in the most unexpected ways. I am also a hopeless romantic.

What makes you stand out from the rest? My authenticity. 

Catch The Bachelor SA Thursdays at 19:00 on M-Net (DStv 101)

ALSO READ:

Reeva Steenkamp’s best friend Gina Myers revealed as a contestant on The Bachelor SA premiere episode on Valentine's Day

The Bachelor SA’s Lee Thompson on heartbreak, romance, and his search for a soulmate

WATCH: We get cozy with SA’s Bachelor Lee Thompson(Photos supplied: M-Net)

 
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