Sasha-Lee Laurel Olivier takes the SA crown
SANDTON – The new Miss South Africa has been crowned.
Beautiful and determined is the new Miss South Africa Sasha-Lee Laurel Olivier. Taking over the South African crown from the now Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi. Olivier intends on continuing her work to combat rape and rape stereotypes in the country.
She will assume all the Miss South Africa duties and fulfil her obligations to sponsors. Excited for her new reign we can expect great things from this 26-year-old beauty this year.
“It’s an indescribable feeling now, coming out on the other side and finally having the opportunity to live one of my dreams. But I recognise now you know that it is not about the recognition but the responsibility to serve and just coming out on the other side of this if anything else I am grateful,” she said.
Being a rape and sexual abuse survivor was one of the main reasons she pursued the Miss South Africa title.
“I wanted to break the chains of silent shame and fear and I think that through the #ItsNotYourFault and the current campaign that we have, it achieves just that. My hope is that we get this to the scale it deserves to be. Not only with the necessary rape comfort pack going out there but also to be in a position where we alleviate the issue at hand.”
She mentions that the current problem South Africa is facing is dire.
“Every 26 seconds rape is a reality for someone so we need to, in this position right now, offer remedial action until such a time where we have a proactive approach in place.
“So right now my focus is to run with the Beauty with a Purpose campaign that I had implemented together with the Miss South Africa organisation and the Angel Network prior to leaving for Miss World.”
According to Olivier, her rape comfort kits are there to make the jobs of the professionals in this space easier and to restore the dignity of the survivor that was lost. “To the naked eye, it will seem like it’s just a pack with a hygiene kit and that’s simply not the case.
“We have to look at the circumstances that the person is in at a time, the kits are a source of comfort. You can say that it is a dignity pack.”
The year 2020 is a busy one for Miss South Africa . “There is so much that I am about to do. I can say I am going to be a voice for those who have not found their voices yet. I am going to be someone who is willing to have the conversations that we neglected to have.”
And while she is doing that, she is also excited about moving to her new apartment in the heart of Sandton. A lover of socialising, sushi and pizza, she will also get to experience all Sandton has to offer.
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/246445/sasha-lee-olivier-is-the-new-miss-south-africa/
