A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER

YOU's Glam Gran Amanda Cloete is looking forward to a special festive season surrounded by all her loved ones

- BY ALULUTHO GUZANA

HE had no idea her year would end like this. Just a few months ago she could go for a run or pop into the shops and no one would give her a second glance – but these days she can’t go anywhere without someone recognising her.

Amanda Cloete is a veritable celebrity in the Northern Cape town of Springbok and people everywhere stop her to say hello, congratulate her and pose for selfies.

And she’s only too happy to oblige. The 61-year-old is, of course, YOU’s Glam Gran winner and she’s loving every second of her newfound fame.

“It’s been surreal. The other day I went to the municipality and someone said, ‘Here’s our celebrity – can I take a picture?’,” she tells us, laughing. “Last week I attended a park run and as I got to the finish line they had a congratulatory announcement for me.”

Being our Glam Gran has been great fun for Amanda who, in addition to winning R10 000 in cash and a hamper of great prizes, also posed for a shoot for our fashion pages recently (YOU, 20 November).

“I was paging through the issue that features my fashion shoot and it just dawned on me that I never thought I could be a model. But there I was – it feels like I’m rewriting my life and fulfilling many of my dreams.”

Amanda, who we meet at her home just as the festive season is getting into full swing, says she’s keeping her cash prize for the holidays. She plans to buy herself a Christmas present – a new pair of running shoes – and intends to spoil her three grandchildren, Eli (15), Leila (13) and three-year-old Evan.

She may be glam but first and foremost she’s a gran – and there’s nothing better than treating her precious brood.