Alberton beauty takes the crown
"I am excited to walk this journey in my year, making a difference in my community and in South Africa," said Desiree.
ALBERTON – The beautiful Desiree Oliphant, was crowned Mrs United Nations South African winner on December 1 at Stone Cradle in Pretoria where 10 finalists prepared for the final evening of glitz and glamour that mark the beginning of a new journey for Desiree.
To many Albertonians Desiree is now a well known figure in Alberton, often making the news pages of the RECORD and being involved in various community activities. Some of the judges for the evening included South African designer extraordinaire Simon Rademan, Liesel-Krause Wiid, Nicky van der Westhuizen and Fatima Abdul, making sure that the next South African winner is made of the right stuff to head up this responsible role – and Desiree took the crown.
Contestants were judged on interviewing skills, sportswear, evening wear, traditional wear and fashion. During the in-depth interviews contestants were asked to elaborate on their marriage, their role as mothers and off course their involvement within the communities and community projects.
More than 170 community projects have been initiated and continued as a result of Mrs UN SA. It is the core purpose of this competition: “to change one soul at a time,” as Zantie Swanepoel, Director of Mrs UN SA commented.
The uniqueness of this competition is that no finalist walks away giving up on her purpose or passion, the positive work of these women continue, regardless whether they are a crowned winner or not. With the end of a beautiful evening, so starts the new beginnings and hard work for the newly crowned winner who will be working tirelessly to bring relieve to the hearts and people of South Africa, making a difference and leaving her footprints behind in the legacy that is Mrs United Nations.
“I thank the Lord for His favour in this regard, and I am excited to walk this journey in my year, making a difference in my community and in South Africa,” said Desiree.
Desiree on family and marriage:
Family is important to Desiree. She met her husband of 19 years at secondary school in grade 12. “He is an introvert with a dynamic personality and persona. Our beautiful marriage brought along two beautiful children and my husband Michael is my rock and anchor. Sundays after church I serve a traditional four-course lunch, and this is where we have what one may call a round-table discussion with our children, Luciano and L’Oreal, about the past week and plans for the following week. Sunday is our day – just the four of us.
“Managing a marriage should involve connecting with each other and staying involved with your husband and children as well as your children’s communities and the many worlds they are involved in daily. When a marriage is not connected, it shall perish.”
A great passion:
“I am passionate about children. Raising boys to men in the 21st century is a real challenge in our communities and perhaps the world at large. Targeting and reaching out to boys within this age group is my primary object and girls secondary. I have partnered with three highly influential schools and the SAPS within the Alberton community to reach out to these young boys soon to be men, and even younger to engage boys on the do’s and don’ts touching on subjects such as cyber bullying, crime, substance and drug abuse, anger, depression and peer pressure. I will represent the children of my beloved country and do my utmost to successfully get boys to transform into responsible, accountable men.”
A message to SA:
“South Africa, as a progressive and inspirational African country should step up to the next level of diversity post its 20 years of democracy. Embrace each race, creed and culture morally, socially and otherwise, to go forward into our bright and colourful future.”
