WITH her natural beauty, down to earth attitude and charismatic personality, it is easy to see why Waterfall resident, Salomé Nel – Gouws has just been crowned RoleModels SA’s Mrs KZN 2014.
The 33-year-old wife and mother took the honours at a glittery pageant at the Gateway Hotel on 22 March. This was her first pageant after a 12-year absence from the beauty scene.
Interviews took place in the morning before a panel of judges before the gala event in the evening. Contestants were judged on confidence, personality, natural beauty and leadership potential.
The highlights of the pageant for Salomé were making new friends and getting to walk the ramp in front of her proud husband for the first time. Winning the title of Mrs KZN also gives her the opportunity to become more involved in her community and help others, something she is passionate about.
“This is not just a title but it is about placing yourself into your community and doing something for someone else. I want to be a part of my new community helping where I can to try make a difference.”
The official charity of the pageant’s host, Role Models SA is The Imfundo Educare Project which endeavours to give underprivileged pre-school children whose parents cannot afford pre-school facilities, the opportunity to have a better start in life, so that they do not start their school career off at a disadvantage. As Mrs KZN, she will be expected to raise funds for underprivileged people in her community as well as support the pageant’s charity.
“I have always wanted to inspire those around me, uplift and encourage others. Whatever we have going on in our lives we can cope, there are people with so many more problems than us. I feel I have a purpose, that God is pushing me from behind and I want to be a shoulder for others to lean on.”
Salomé grew up in the little town of Bethlehem in the Freestate. She started modelling at the age of 12 when her grandmother entered her in a modelling school. The avid sports lover and tomboy was transformed into a model. She continued with modelling, entering and winning beauty pageants and taking part in fashion shows before owning her own modelling school for 6 years. In 2004 she was a semi finalist in Miss South Africa.
Soon after that, she moved to KZN and stopped modelling to focus on her career and family. A qualified beauty therapist, she became an Advanced Specialist in skin needling and permanent make-up and owns, Lomes Advanced Permanent Makeup and skin needling, working from home and a salon on the Bluff.
Still a tomboy at heart, she enjoys nothing more than getting dirty on a quad bike. She enjoys the outdoors, spending time with her horses at home, dancing and netball, although she hasn’t played in years.
“I hate gym but I believe in eating right and staying healthy. I also believe home toning exercises are beneficial.”
Her message to women and the youth of today is, “Stay humble and true to yourself. Thank God every second for he gave you the will and talent to have a passion and purpose through Him. We are all unique and no one is better than you. Beauty is more than skin deep and God created you in His image. Love yourself and be all you can be. Dream and pursue.”
In December she will be taking part in the Mzantsi Africa pageant in Bloemfontein, a three day affair that will see all the provincial winners competing.
