Berea resident represents KZN in pageant

BEREA’S Samentha Reddy has been nominated as one of the 30 semi-finalists to represent KZN at the Unseen International Unconventional Pageant 2021.

Samentha, a nurse specialising is psychiatry, is passionate about serving the community and said this pageant, which focuses on women in the community, is a platform for her to uplift women in her local community affected by gender-based violence.

“I have never done this sort of thing before, but I follow the founder of the pageant, former Mrs SA Semi-Finalists 2019 Charina Joubert on Instagram, and saw a post about this pageant and decided to enter,” she said.

Samentha said the pageant is made up of powerful women passionate about body positivity, self-acceptance and all things motivation. She said there is no focus on the physique, and encourages women empowerment.

“I have always wanted to enter this kind of competition to create a platform to start my charity, Honeycomb of Hope, where I receive donations on a monthly basis and distribute groceries to families affected by Covid. I decided to follow this dream my sister, Ivashni, had of taking part in a charity pageant. She died in 2016, and I am doing this to honour her. I also wanted to follow this dream before I settled down,” she said.

Samentha sent in her motivational letter where she indicated her dreams and aspirations, and was then informed she had made it through as a semi-finalist, representing the province.

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“It’s been a lot of work, but I am enjoying it! I introduced my charity project to my community and so many people have put their hands up to help. I had a fundraising target which I have already passed. I love helping people, which I do in my job as a nurse, and the charitable work I do is an extension of this. I love helping people in my community, even if it is just listening to them,” she said.

Unseen International is partnered with Stand United SA, which focuses on gender-based violence. This pageant was founded to raise funds for this organisation.

“This is a charity event, and a percentage goes to this organisation, which is something close to my heart. As part of my continued fundraising, I am also running an Easter drive from 22 to 27 March to distribute grocery vouchers to families in need this Easter,” she said.

Samentha said she is feeling confident about her chances of moving through to the finals. The finalists will be chosen on 3 July, and the top three will be announced on 2 October at the grand finale in Cape Town.

“I am feeling good about my chances. I have had immense support from my church, family and friends and I feel I am going to go far,” she said.

When she is not helping others, Samentha enjoys reading, listening to music and cooking. She said she has recently started healthy living, and is running and exercising.

For any support with donations for Samentha’s charity work, email her on samenthareddy196@gmail.com.

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