Cowies Hill beauty the first in KZN to be crowned International Junior Miss Universe

COWIES Hill beauty princess Danielle Visser is the first in KwaZulu-Natal to be crowned International Junior Miss South Africa (IJMSA). The 18-year-old is set to grace international stages as she is headed to the United States of America for the Miss Universe title in November.
Not only did the local beauty walk away with the Miss Junior South Africa title, she took overall Top Snap Scan, First Princess in Charity, Overall Best-Groomed Teen and Overall Public Choice Winner.

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The IJMSA aims to empower the youth and encourages the participants to be involved with charities as part of the competition.
Speaking to the Highway Mail, Visser said her modeling career started at a young age when she loosely auditioned for a modeling agency. “I signed up at the agency, and I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to do modeling or not, and today, I can’t even remember the first pageant I entered, but I know that I must have been very nervous,” she said.

Also crowned Miss KZN in 2020, the beauty queen is not only limited to beauty pageants but is a rock-climbing champ and takes part in charity work. Visser came fourth in the trial to select South African representatives in the 2020 Olympics.
“I enjoy rock climbing as much as I enjoy modeling, and I love the fact that I get to have the best of both worlds. This has also opened up my mind to break all the stereotypes of beauty standards set by society,” she said.

Her love for charity has led her to work with charity organisations in the Highway area, and she has 16 charities on her books. Currently, Visser helps at Once Upon a Time in Pinetown.
Visser said she is looking forward to the Miss Universe pageant as she stands a chance to be in Sherri Hill’s dress. “In the pageant, there is a category where you get to walk in Sherri Hill’s dress. I have always loved Sherri Hill, and the thought of walking the stage in her dress makes me so excited. It would mean so much for me to make it to that stage,” she said.

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The Westville Girls’ High School alumnus, who completed her matric last year, said she is currently taking a gap year before she will carry on with her studies.
As part of raising funds for her to be able to take part in the Miss Junior Universe, Visser said they are planning a golf day at the Cotswold Downs in Hillcrest. “We need to find companies that will sponsor a hole and teams of four to play. The golf day will be on October 25th,” she said.

Visser said they are still looking for more ideas to raise funds, and they are hopeful that the public will take part.