Buli Sonqishe
An Edenvale beauty will be hosting an anti-bullying pageant to help stamp out violence in schools and the community.
Former Miss Edenvale Shelby Moura, who was also Miss Gauteng 2016, decided to start the Standing With Individuals To Change Hurt (Switch) initiative as she wanted to put a system in place for the youth to go to for support and guidance.
Switch was launched in 2015, but this year will see the first Mr and Miss Switch and the second Face of Switch competition.
“The initiative is not only aimed at helping victims of bullying but the bullies themselves, as most of the time it stems from an underlying problem they need to deal with,” Shelby said. “We have set up an email system where the youth can contact us, and we then have counsellors to provide guidance to them.”
Shelby, who has also been a victim of bullying, said her goal is to get Switch known in schools so that young people will be able to get the help they need.
“I believe bullying is a huge problem facing the youth of today as it can be a cause for so many issues later on in life, such as substance and alcohol abuse, as a way of coping with the problem.”
The Miss Switch pageant will take place at Eastleigh Primary School on November 25.
“This is not only a pageant but we have a photographic competition running as well,” Shelby said. “I want to show the youth that there are people who want to speak up against bullying and want to stand up against it.
“Title holders will become ambassadors for my initiative,” she added. “We are looking for someone who can be a voice and an ambassador to the youth and encourage them to speak up and use their voices.”
Entry forms are up on the Standing With Individuals To Change Hurt Facebook page. You can also email shelbyjeanmoura@yahoo.com to get the entry forms.
“The winner will be required to attend a few events to promote Switch and be an ambassador for the programme and use this platform to create awareness on bullying.
“If anyone would like to sponsor prizes or offer their services, we would appreciate the support,” Shelby added.
