Local teenage models make it to Top 22 in national pageant

The three local young models from Ace Models Limpopo who made it to the Top 100 of the SA Teen Ambassador pageant, a youth empowerment programme, were all three chosen to be among the Top 22 recently.
Chaunte du Bruyn (16), Lehlogonolo Manamela (17) and Keri-Leigh Wood (17) expressed their excitement about having made it so far.
Chaunte added that she knows the best is yet to come. “I aspire to be an empowered women with vision and grace, soft-hearted and strong, self-aware and sure. Respected for my mind, admired for my heart and above all always honest and kind,” she explained.
She further said should she become Miss SA Teen Ambassador, she will use her voice to influence the youth and raise awareness to certain causes like human trafficking. “Thousands of women are abused every day and there is no sign of justice. It might be almost impossible to stop human trafficking but to make people aware about how to stay safe and protected is a much better plan. I hope to influence young ladies in South Africa to stay true to themselves and remember to turn your can’ts into cans and dreams into plans.”
Lehlogonolo said it was a great feeling to be chosen, yet humbling at the same time.
She looks forward to helping the youth of the country. “This is such an enormous opportunity. Meeting the lovely judges and seeing such talent from my peers was great,” she added.
She looks forward to helping the youth of the country and her way forward will be to try and raise money through sponsors in support of the SA Teen Ambassador Scholarship Fund. “I want to truly be an ambassador right through till the judging and afterwards by helping children and teenagers to get rid of bullying and other anti-social influences. Creating change starting small and going big is the plan.” Keri-Leigh said being in the Top 22 is very fun and challenging. “I was truly amazed, and feel blessed and grateful. We need to raise funds and sponsorships. We have until 26 November to do so,” she said.
She added that her nomination brought her one step closer towards achieving her goals.
“SA Teen is about women empowerment and independence. If I were to win the title, I would love to focus on teenagers believing in themselves and not getting influenced negatively. I am looking forward to action all my initiatives.”
The winner of the pageant will be announced on 1 December in Johannesburg and tickets for the finalé can be purchased from one of the finalists. Voting lines are still open. Simply SMS your favourite finalist’s name and surname to 35959, SMSes cost R3 each.

Story: KAREN VENTER
>>karen@observer.co.za