[PICS] Miss Heritage finalist celebrates Mandela Day
Miss Heritage finalist Sherianne Pillay treated children to a day at the Lion and Safari Park in honour of Mandela Day.
Every year on Mandela Day, the world celebrates former president Nelson Mandela’s legacy by giving back to the less fortunate. This has become a tradition for Sherianne Pillay, Miss India Gauteng and 2016 finalist in the Miss Heritage pageant.
In honor of Mandela Day, the 22-year-old took five teenagers from Dorah’s Ark Home to the Lion and Safari Park on Sunday, 17 July. ”Giving back 67 minutes on Mandela Day has become a trend in my family. Every year, we do something on the day to give back to those who need it most,” she told the News.
She says she prefers to take the children to a place they have never been to instead of spending time with them at the home because she wants to create new experiences for them.
Sherianne grew up as a church youth leader and believes that her passion for the youth developed there. “I believe that a woman’s most powerful weapon is her beauty, and if she can use that beauty to bless people, the country will move forward,” she said.
This third-year law student also gives talks to young girls at schools and offers help wherever she can, even if it means making her cellphone number available for them to call if they need to talk.
“I like giving my time to charity because I like making a difference in the lives of children. I believe children are the future. Many youngsters in South Africa are blessed with so much, and we definitely have a lot to give,” she told the News.
As the children found their places in the tour bus they looked excited, yet scared. Karabo Moate, 14, and her friend Kelebogile Sethunya were happy to see a giraffe and a zebra because they like zebras.
“I would like to say thank you to Sherianne. The experience was so much fun and we enjoyed it,” said Kelebogile.
Although shy, the children expressed their excitement at seeing lions and other animals at the park.
The day wrapped up with Sherianne treating the children to lunch at her home in Roodekrans.
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