MUSIC Pagins are also undergoing a metamorphosis in order to keep up with the changing world. And the new style events are focused on all round excellence rather than on looks alone. A double blow of Pagins took place in Durban recently and Mishal went to see how the competition unfolded. MUSIC The city hall in Durban is playing host to one of South Africa's premier events. After tonight's crowning, two ladies' lives will be changed forever. But before the big event, I'm heading backstage. The makeup team faced a challenge of creating a look that complemented Eastern and contemporary styles. Ryan, what's the brief that you received from the organizers in terms of the looks for the makeup team? Pretty much a very glam, glowy effect as it is a peasant. The contestants go from Eastern to Western. How does that affect the makeup palette? She just scored very neutral kind of colors in terms of makeup, so it matches both. After makeup, the contestants move to the hair stylist's station. Samaya in terms of the looks tonight for the hair styles. What has the brief theme? Most of them are going with the flowy here. It's a curl. Just bringing out the natural beauty. With two pageants running concurrently, pageant director Komisha Nanu Maharaj made sure that everything floats smoothly. Komisha is always great to welcome you back to Mela. Tonight is such an exciting evening because somebody's life is going to be changed forever. Why is it so important for these events to be taken place in today's time? It's an opportunity for young Indian women, or women from the South African heritage, to take part in this competition to uplift our cultural heritage. What is the response like from the participants, the entries? It's been amazing. We've been growing and growing, and this year is phenomenal. As you'll see the show has grown with so much, we've got to now an entire different event coming into place for women that are married or have been married. They can only be one winner, but you have 10 finalists. How do you ensure that everyone grows from the experience? Throughout this entire process, we have motivational talks, we have talks enough, left-winds, we have talks, to actually grow our contestants not just for the project, but for the entire life. It's our current Empress. The Zero is so great to be chatting with you. How are you feeling this evening? I'm actually feeling very excited. I'm looking forward to meeting our new Empress or a little bit of tears because I'm handing over the crown. What advice would you have for the incoming Queen? We want a Queen that's going to be genuine, that's going to want to help women because pageantry and being a beauty queen is about motivating and encouraging other women, and that is what we stand for. While the finalists took care of the finishing touches and captured some last-minute selfies, the pageant goers made their way into the venue. The ladies are dressed to the nines, the men are looking dapper, the show is about to start, I better head on in and take my seats. I'm going to be singing the song. Namaste, Vannecombe, Salam. We need to be able to do things for ourselves and by ourselves. It doesn't matter where you come from or how much money you have, if you have dreams just follow them. Each of the Empress India's South Africa Top 10 delivered a brief message and then it was time to meet the Miss India SAQ for Zulu Natal finalists. Be proud of who you are. I lead my life with honesty, integrity and compassion. You should always make the most of every opportunity in life. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts. The finalists of both pageants then had an opportunity to show off their dancing talents, with Bollywood heads being a favourite choice. Ethnic elegance, follow the entertainment and then the outgoing Empress made a final official appearance. I would like to call Miss Nizira Moore for her final walk. It is my honour to call on stage the director and producer of the pageants to announce the winners. This Empress India South Africa 2019 second runner up is... Yes, me and Rajak! First runner up is... And I was impressed in just South Africa 2019. It's Kanisha George Tirat! Just in just South Africa case in 2019 second runner up is... Priyanka Sikto! First runner up is... Rivashti Nidu! First in just South Africa case in 2019 is... Priyanka Sikto! It's been such a lovely evening year at the city hall in Durban. I'm looking so forward to seeing what the two winners achieve in their rainy year. Congratulations to all the winners! Another highly successful year for the Miss South Africa India pageant. Which owes an inculcurable debt of thanks to the late journalist and activist Faru Khan who started the local event as part of the Miss India Worldwide franchise.