Young models aspire to lead teenage girls from strength to strength
Apart from beauty and youth, being the only three finalists from Limpopo in the semi-finals of the Miss SA Teen Amabassador is what Keri-Leigh Wood, Chaunte du Bruyn and Lehlogonolo Manamela have in common.
POLOKWANE – Miss SA Teen Ambassador is an empowerment programme for girls aged between 15 and 19 years old. It is aimed to develop teenage girls through workshops, this is part of the process to be crowned Miss SA Teen Ambassador. The programme is aimed at encouraging competitiveness among teenage girls in their pursuit to become role models to others.
Keri-Leigh explains that for her the programme is all about women empowerment. “We as women can do anything we set our minds to. Anything a man can do, we can also do. What is stopping you if you really want to achieve something in life? Do whatever it takes to get it.”
For Lehlogonolo it is about being send to serve. “Inspired by President, Cyril Ramaphosa’s Thuma Mina campaign, which means send me. I feel this programme is to inspire the youth to follow their dreams like I’m doing. I have to serve as a young woman.”
Chaunte feels that this platform is great to make dreams come true. “This is a step towards Miss South Africa. The platform inspires and motivates teenagers.”
Both Keri-Leigh and Chaunte are learners at Hoërskool Pietersburg, Keri-Leigh is in Gr 12 and she loves horses.
“Next year I would love to go to America, more specifically Texas, to work with horses and teach children to ride. Since I love animals so much I would then love to come back and open a pet shop, where I can also look after pets when owners are on holiday. Oh, and my pet shop will have a dog friendly restaurant. I love photography too, so I would love to be a professional photographer, but still work with horses.”
Chaunte is only 16 but she has big plans for her future. “Between studying LLB and B.Com Law I want to win Miss South Africa as well as Miss Universe and Miss World. I want to have my own clothing brand and set up a few charities. One of my charities will supply women in rural areas with sanitary pads, the other one will focus on the Christian education of children in orphanages, like volunteers reading to them and teaching them songs. Bullying in school is a big issue, I would like to set up a fund to get people to talk about this at schools.”
Lehlogonolo, is a Gr 12 PEPPS learner plans on studying media studies or communication management next year. “I only started with modeling this year as my mother felt it was better to be older. I love being a semi-finalist and she thrives on challenges. I am a hard worker with a lot of passion for whatever I do. I truly belief I can be an inspiration as I am loving, kind and giving.”
All three girls are models at ACE Models Limpopo and agree that being with ACE Models have helped them to gain self confidence.
“I am a lot more self assured, I am also on the development programme for ICE Models International, where I can further my modeling career. I want to be a role model and I want to tell my story, being a motivational speaker, sharing miracles that happened in my life.
Chaunte confirms that her confidence also grew and that she believes you have to tell yourself you are beautiful.”
The girls agree that nowadays, people only want to break others down instead of encouraging and building each other up. This is exactly what this programme is about, helping to make girls stronger and being a role model for younger girls and to show them to never give up on their dreams.
To vote for these girls SMS their names to 35959. SMS’s cost R3 a SMS. Remember to like their Facebook pages (see the links above) as well as their photos on SA Teen Ambassador Pageant Page.
