‘It’s about inner beauty’
'Set your goals, pray hard and work harder, and you will achieve' – Marisa Smit Romanelli.
Marisa Smit Romanelli, 38, a model born and raised in Randfontein, wants to be an inspiration to young models and upcoming businesswomen.
Having started modelling at the age of seven, Marisa has competed in many pageants and photographic competitions. She was a Miss Randfontein Show second princess as well as a Miss Legs winner in 1997.
“I am extremely passionate about everything related to pageantry, but it’s not just about posing on a catwalk or for photos; for me the true value lies in your inner beauty,” she said.
She further praised organisations that are involved in pageantry on national, international and even local level, such as Randfontein and Krugersdorp Pageants, as they give young girls the opportunity not only to work on their self-confidence and better their self-image, but they create a platform and inspire youngsters to reach out to others.
“Pageants strive to assist communities and that is what I also stand for – helping others.”
Her children certainly follow in mom’s footsteps, and they are two rising modelling stars.
Mariela her daughter, 10, was crowned Miss Randfontein Junior in 2019, and Little Miss SA 2020.
“In 2017, we went to the South African Championships of Performing Arts (SACOPA) where we received gold medals and qualified to go to the World Championship of Performing Arts in Los Angeles in 2018. I got a bronze medal for worlds in modelling and my daughter Mariela won numerous gold medals for modelling and drama. My son, Cosmo, was only three years old and won numerous gold medals for modelling. He was named a Champion of the World division winner in modelling.
“We believe in ‘do your best and God will do the rest’, so we do everything with passion and hard work. We have a Romanelli Philanthropy Facebook page where we help those in need. In addition, we held our own pageants over the years to raise funds for baby sanctuaries, and others in need.
“Currently my daughter has her own ‘Super girl saving the world’ campaign where she collects plastic, paper and glass to help prevent pollution. She donates all the funds she gets to the Humanitarian Empowerment Fund NPC (HEF) [hefund.org] and Just in Time Baby Sanctuary here in Ranfontein,” she concluded.
