BIOGRAPHY

Bernelee Daniell

Miss South Africa 1995

She had never thought of modelling as a career. However, after matriculating in 1991, she was unsure of which career path to follow, so she decided to take a year off to further her modelling career and earn extra pocket money. She was fortunate to be able to combine her love of travelling and her career as a model. Her 'year off' turned into four adventurous years of international modelling, travelling to Germany, Spain, Singapore, America, Maldives, Comores and Mauritius.

She regarded her modelling career, as her 'University of Life'. It afforded her the opportunity to work with people from various cultures and backgrounds and develop skills and knowledge that would prove useful in other professions.

In 1995 she entered and won the coveted Miss South Africa title and the year proved to be a highlight of her life. The role of beauty queens has changed drastically over the past few years and they are now regarded as goodwill ambassadors. Bernelee was involved in many charity events during the year, and her main project and focus was Adult Literacy. "I was shocked when I realised that millions of South Africans cannot read or write." states Bernelee. She addressed the business sector on many occasions in an attempt to make them aware of the tremendous need for literacy programmes in South Africa.

During 1995, as Miss South Africa she took part in the Miss World pageant and was placed in the top 10. However, a high point of her reign was when she met former South African president, Nelson Mandela. Subsequently she had several contacts with him during her year and was privileged to attend a private lunch at his residence in Johannesburg - they even went to movies together!

After her reign she became a motivational speaker and for four years presented the Miss South Africa motivational workshops nationally which focused on topics such as interviews, public speaking, deportment, wardrobe planning, hair care and make-up. Ultimately these workshops were designed to prepare the entrants for the pageant, as well as to give them insight into what it is really like to be a Miss SA - an ambassador for your country.

Her interest in television was sparked in 1995, when as Miss SA; she hosted several travel programmes for MNet covering countries such as Mauritius and the Comores. She was invited to cover the Cannes Film Festival in 1996 and rubbed shoulders with many international stars including Liv Tyler.

Following on she launched the series, MNet Cares and was also involved in the live broadcast of the Miss SA 1996 and Miss SA 2000 as a commentator.

Gaining popularity as a TV host, she hosted her very own gospel music programme called CCM1. It was screened on Sundays on SABC 1 for 18 months. Another career highlight was when she was approached by internationally acclaimed producer Ken Warwick, of International Gladiators and American Idols fame. She presented a stunt programme called "Don't try this at home", screened in the UK.

In 1999 Bernelee worked for a sponsorship and event organising company on a project called The Children's Promise. It was a campaign that ran worldwide asking people to donate their last hour of salary. The campaign highlighted the need for alleviating the plight of South Africa's children and was endorsed by President Thabo Mbeki. Here she headed up the fundraising and marketing side of the campaign.

Her own company is aptly named, Bella-Luce Promotions. (BL: Bernelee Losch), Bella-Luce means "Beautiful Beginnings" in Italian. It's a marketing and publicity company with varied clients across the business and leisure sector.

Bernelee is quoted as saying, "My children have added a whole new dimension to my life - other than sleep deprivation! It has been humbling to experience life again through the eyes of my children. Playing in the sand, learning to crawl, draw and count to 10. Walking into a meeting with a pumpkin stain on my pants is now the norm. I've added "mom" to my resume and it's a title I am the most proud of. I am indeed richly blessed."

2005 saw her entrepreneurial vision grow and she founded the company, Bella Amber under the umbrella company Bella -Luce, that imports and sells amber necklaces that are known to relieve pain and discomfort experienced by babies and young children when they are teething.

In 2006 she accepted the role as Patron of 'Steps Charity' in South Africa - which provides fund raising, information and support for babies and children with clubfoot and other lower limb disorders. Born prematurely and with a club foot herself, Bernelee can naturally relate to both the children and the parents and is a shining example of how one can overcome obstacles and live a very successful life.

Bernelee works for the international company 'NEXT' where she is the Executive Accounts Manager.