Support your Tammy Taylor Mrs South Africa semi-finalist, Adele Koolen

Community members are called to support the business owner of the Brow Spot in Lonehill and Tammy Taylor Mrs South Africa semi-finalist 2018, Adele Koolen.

“Many people still think that Tammy Taylor Mrs South Africa is a beauty pageant, but it is not that, it is a women empowerment programme, we just do it in heels,” Koolen expressed.

When asked how she felt when she first learnt that she was a semi-finalist, Koolen stated that it was most likely one of the most exciting moments of her life. “When Joani Johnson, who is the CEO of Mrs South Africa, told the room that she had good and bad news and that the good news was that the top 100 were all seated in front of her, I literally almost cried. I’m still pretty much reeling from excitement.”

Koolen added that her reasons for entering Tammy Taylor Mrs South Africa were emotional as she cannot have children. “Myself and my husband have gone through seven years of fertility treatments and then did surrogacy and eventually this year I decided to stop after 22 times of trying in total.

“Along the way I felt like I had lost myself, it’s hard to explain, because from the outside I seem pretty strong and put together, but there was just something missing, and when the Facebook page kept popping up to enter, I took a leap of faith.”

She added that she needed a platform where she could tell women who were going through the same journey that she went through that no matter how it ends, they were strong enough. “I want to tell them that everything will be ok in the end, and if I can change the life of just one person it would be enough for me.”

She added that it was important for community members to vote for her because she was just a normal person like every other person in the community and they are the people she was representing. “I want to be the voice for them, and make a change for them.”

Speaking of change, Koolen said she has a charity that she is supporting throughout the running for the crown. “As of this year, Tammy Taylor Mrs South Africa has partnered with the Women4Women foundation and they will be the official beneficiary of the annual fundraising ball. All funds raised will be distributed to community projects which are ultimately focused on job creation for the less fortunate.”

The Tammy Taylor Mrs South Africa kicked off on 2 March with the national castings for the Top 100 semi-finalists held at Emperors Palace.

Support and follow Koolen’s journey to the crown on Instagram: @adele_koolen