Maxine makes Miss Earth semi-finals

‘I ALWAYS wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realised I was somebody.’ This is a phrase that uMhlanga’s Maxine Caruth firmly believes in. The 20-year-old was recently named as a semi-finalist in the Miss Earth SA competition. A pyschology student at Varsity College (Durban North), Maxine entered the competition to widen the platform for making a difference. She said her passion for helping others was inspired by her late grandfather.

“My grandfather always made Christmas special for us and he would always make the family smile and laugh with his antics. He inspired me to make a difference in other children’s lives, particularly around the festive period. I then started working with orphaned children from various homes in Howick to make a difference. I began outreach programme called Faith, and each Christmas I would visit the children. It’s all about spreading joy and love, like my granddad did. Every child gets a stocking with sweets and goodies as well as a wrapped present.

“When I started my Miss Earth journey I began helping another school in Howick, the Thembelihle Primary School. I spent some time with them talking about sustainable living and together we created a veggie garden,” she said.

Miss Earth South Africa aims to empower young South African women with the knowledge and platform to create a sustainable difference in the fight to combat the destruction of SA’s natural heritage. While she was honoured to make it this far, Maxine said she hopes to make a bigger difference in local communities.

“I don’t see this as a competition. Making the finals would be an honour, but winning is not a priority for me. I want to use it as a platform to uplift the community. This journey is about making a bigger difference to those I can help. People often say to me, they wish they could help, and they can. Never forget you have the power and potential to make a difference in someone’s life,” she said.

June is Environmental Month, and Maxine has already begun her campaign by planting a vegetable garden at the Golden Hours School.