Miss Heritage Gauteng 2016 crowned
KILLARNEY – Sherianne Pillay is crowned Miss Heritage Gauteng at Killarney Country Club.
It’s official – Sherianne Pillay is Miss Heritage Gauteng 2016.
Pillay is the young pageant queen whose face you may know from a number of other competitions, campaigns and good causes.
Currently studying law at Wits University, Pillay was crowned Miss Heritage Gauteng 2016 at the pageant held at Killarney Country Club and this comes just one year after winning the title of Miss India Gauteng 2015.
Although she is no stranger to winning hearts and crowns, the new Miss Heritage Gauteng does admit that she was in shock when the judges announced her as the winner of the contest. “I’m super excited [about winning] and it’s very overwhelming,” Pillay said.
“I am elated for my year in reign, but it only really sunk in a few days later. Prior to this, it felt surreal.”
The competition was held on 6 August to find the perfect person to represent Gauteng and promote the values of culture and heritage in South Africa.
The winner, who has now been entrusted with a number of responsibilities, is also the person who will fight against the winners in other provinces for the title of Miss Heritage South Africa on 22 September, and later, Miss Heritage World on 4 December.
Before vying for the next crown, Pillay is looking forward to fulfilling her duties as queen. “As an advocate for heritage, I’d like to empower the next generation to embrace their cultures and our diversity.
“I feel the youths of South Africa need to dig deeper into those cultures around us.
“As South Africans, we are born into a melting pot of cultures but do little to find out about our own heritage and the heritage of those around us. I’d like to change this.
“I will also raise awareness about the heritage sites in our province and South Africa at large.”
Heading up an initiative called Princess Diaries, a non-profit organisation which holds counselling sessions with girls aged 12 to 20, Pillay aims to take on her responsibilities as Miss Heritage Gauteng 2016 as well as that of a role model to young girls.
