Cara Frew on being top 25 Miss SA semi-finalist

She’s recently been announced as one of 25 semi-finalists for Miss South Africa 2016, following in the footsteps of her mom who was first princess in 1984.

She arrives for our interview looking stunning as always, her hair perfectly blow-waved, her make-up just enough to cover blemishes but still showcasing her natural beauty and a colourful dress signifying her love for African fashion. She takes her seat beside me. Upon being greeted by the waiter, the 24-year-old responds in vernacular.

Her dialogue goes beyond mere salutation, and a swarm of waitrons crowd the table all wanting to get a word in. She’s surely got my attention now.

“I learnt Zulu at school,” she says looking a little flustered. “I also speak to the guys who tend to my horses in their home language as a sign of mutual respect.”

From a young age, Frew had been interested in both horse-riding and singing and for the most part she practiced both. “I’ve always been very determined and goal orientated. I lost out on a lot of play dates as a child, but it was ok because I was getting so much else out of life.”

Up until now horse-riding has taken centre stage, but with three years to the next world games, the time is now. Awaiting the release of her EP, due later this year, Frew is also an advocate for various charity causes. She has aligned herself with the Daring to Dream movement and her aim is to unlock the potential of vulnerable children from under-served communities through education.

Asked if the beauty contest will affect her music career in anyway, she affirms: “I thought long and hard about this. It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was a little girl. I won’t be able to work but I can still sing and write music. It’s all about compromise and balance and I feel like I have something unique to offer.

“I’ve grown and learnt so much from the workshops we’ve done as part of the competition,” she says.

Though the local beauty pageant does not have a talent segment, she certainly stands out because of it. What is her opinion on beauty pageants in general?

“At the end of the day it’s a beauty pageant, but it celebrates more than just physical beauty. It inspires young women to make a difference. We all need role models and people to look up to and by being that I can enrich the lives of others. It’s more than skin deep, it is beauty with a purpose,” she says.

“I’ve already grown so much as a person and this competition enables one to do that.” With her never-ending schedule of responsibilities and her heart on her sleeve, Frew continues to chase her dreams while inspiring others to do the same.