The world is Lavela’s oyster

Her beauty and smile did not earn her these crowns. Her meekness, giving her heart to the less fortunate and showing respect to her mother, earned her all these accolades.

Last year, in August, Godlwana scooped the National Costume Award and second princess for the Pre-Teen division Little Miss Nations 2014 in Brazil.

Speaking to The Citizen after her return from Bulgaria, she said: “It was fun. We visited a shelter for homeless dogs and gave them blankets. I learned that not only people are homeless, even dogs need to be taken care of.

“I also learned that you cannot pick up two dogs at once as they are jealous of one another.” She said they also visited the “amazing” village of Bata in south-eastern Bulgaria.

“This is where the memories are made. The amazing part was when they put our flag up and we shouted for South Africa so loud for them [audience] to know that SA was in the house,” she said.

But Godlwana was also quick to say: “I was expecting to win this title. People need to believe in themselves and to chase after their dreams.”

She said that her speech about her involvement with charity organisations won her the Little Queen of Charity crown. She was competing against seven countries and the event took five days.

“Last week I was in Joburg [Diepsloot] and we gave blankets, food, shoes and party packs to kids who are homeless. I also go to Ngwana Children’s Home and Samaritan Orphanage in Polokwane to cook food for them and give them my clothes,” she said.

“It makes me happy to see people who are less fortunate smiling.”

Godlwana was crowned Little Queen World in her age category because judges were impressed with “the respect I showed to my mom in public. I also did challenges at Bata village and won.”

Her mother, Lumka, was also crowned Mother of Charity at the pageant in Bulgaria. Lumka was crowned Mother of Charity because of her impressive speech.

Godlwana, who aspires to become an accountant, is a pupil at Beinboelies Akademiese Studies.

– vicky@citizen.co.za