Forty finalists will go head-to-head in November in a bid to be crowned Mrs Africa 2016.
The organisers of the pageant announced their final selection on 11 June and participating countries include Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Kenya, Swaziland, Mauritius and South Africa.
Mrs Africa’s directors, Carolyn Baldwin Botha, Rene Roberts-Patel and Janet Potgieter said in a joint statement that the build-up to the 2016 pageant has been exciting and relentless, with many sleepless nights.
“The finalists have just been announced and they have already started working on their various charity events and using the Mrs Africa platform to promote their own personal brands,” the statement read.
Berenice Craddock (47), franchise and leasing officer at Imbalie Beauty, is a finalist in the competition. Craddock says she’s thrilled to be chosen and that this opportunity will enable her to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. “Being a finalist is an opportunity to give back,” said the Sunday school teacher.
“The whole idea is that you’ve got to be a lady that looks after yourself, and your family and the community.”
The finalists will focus on humanitarian work in their respective countries through the Mrs Africa Foundation with the main focus on giving back dignity. Each finalist has to choose a charity that they will be raising funds for.
Craddock has chosen Dignity Dreams, an organisation that distributes washable sanitary towels to underprivileged girls and women. She will be raising funds for a minimum of 30 dignity packs containing a poly cotton drawstring bag, underwear, absorbent and waterproof pads, a soiled goods bag and an instruction sheet available in English, French and Swahili.
Each dignity pack has a value of about R200.
“I am connected to a girl’s home in Kensington called the Salvation Strathyre. It houses 50 girls and I want to provide them with enough packs,” said Craddock.
“I want to make sure the girls all have packs before they even need them.”
Craddock will be hosting a Dignified High Tea in October at Killarney Country Club to raise funds for the dignity packs. According to the mother of two, the minimum she has to raise is R6 000.
“I have to raise all the money and send all packs before the crowning in November.”
All finalists will be judged on their social interaction with the public and the initiatives they take to raise the funds for various charities.
“The girls don’t have to miss school, that’s what the problem is.”
“They are missing three to four days because they don’t have proper facilities, they don’t have proper sanitary pads. Three to four days a month is hectic for these little girls.”
On winning, Craddock said it would be a huge honour, a great commitment, accountability and responsibility and she’s hoping for the best.
