18-year-old Shreya Shandeep is a finalist in the Miss Zee TV India South Africa pageant.
This competition, which is open to women aged 17 to 28, provides a platform for showcasing their talent. In addition, the winner will represent the country in the international pageant.
Shreya is passionate about people with special needs
Born in Estcourt, Shreya describes herself as an enthusiastic individual who is passionate about people with special needs. She is often found researching more about children with special needs
Shreya hopes that the Miss Zee TV India South Africa pageant will provide a stage for her to speak more about this topic that is close to her heart.
“I intend to achieve my Bachelor of Education degree and aspire to become a special needs teacher with the aim of opening my own special needs school. Although being an educator was always my passion, my inspiration for special needs teaching was cemented when I began volunteering at Project Life, a special needs school in Estcourt. In joining the Zee TV Miss India SA pageant, I wish to voice my opinion that special needs children are NOT DISABLED because they have mental or physical challenges,” explains Shreya.
Enjoyable but stressful
Entering the competition was not in Shreya’s plans until her mother ‘pitched the idea’ to her.
“I then began reading about models and pageants. I was further inspired by the work the ladies get to do afterwards. The process thus far has been nothing but a feeling of mixed emotions – sometimes exciting, sometimes stressful, but most of all enjoyable. Since we have now reached the final stage of the contest, it’s all about more practice, working on outfits, mock hairstyles and make-up,” Shreya says.
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The coming weeks will entail travelling to Durban for rehearsals and meetings with the pageant committee, getting to know more about other contestants and making new friends, as well as meeting the different hairdressers and make-up artists.
The Zee TV Miss India SA pageant will culminate on December 3 at the Durban Jewish Centre. Tickets cost R500 per person, which includes a meal.
How can you support Shreya?
How can locals support Shreya on this journey?
“I would be delighted to have as many people as possible attend this prestigious event. Businesses may advertise in the Zee TV Miss India South Africa brochure for a small fee. Alternatively, sponsor my profile in the brochure and I will acknowledge my sponsor in that brochure. Not forgetting sponsorship for hair, make-up and outfit for the final day. Actually, any form of sponsorship is appreciated and not obligatory at all. Most of all, I would appreciate the love, support and encouragement of my hometown. Anyone interested in being my sponsor may contact me on 082 403 2836,” Shreya explains.
On the day of the pageant, Shreya will be required to perform in the talent segment, which could be a dance or song, as well as speak her mind during the question-and-answer sessions.
All contestants are also judged in different special categories which include Miss Personality and Miss Photogenic.
While Shreya is anxiously looking forward to the competition, she hopes this will be a stepping stone to success for not just herself but the youth as well.
“I wish to be an inspiration to women who are introverts such as me, and who struggle with voicing their opinions. I hope to spread love and kindness to all. I also want to grasp the attention of the youth of today to let them know there is much more out there for us than just our social chat rooms and Netflix,” she says.
Shreya would like to extend gratitude to Shereen Suleman and Ronelle Mungaroo for their support.
“Most of all, thank you to my parents for allowing me this opportunity to participate in a pageant of this magnitude, as well as supporting me through this beautiful experience,” she concludes.
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