While most little girls dream of becoming a princess, little Mehran Dildar, 4, hopes to one day become the first female president of South Africa or a ‘girl president’ as she put it. She was inspired by President Cyril Ramaphosa and dreams of meeting him in the near future.
“I love that he speaks to the people of South Africa. He keeps us informed about the coronavirus pandemic. He seems like he really cares and is trying to help us,” said the adorable Isipingo resident. “I will thank my president for meeting me and I will tell him that I waited for very long to meet him. I will tell him I want to be a leader like him when I grow up, but a girl president. I will tell him how I have his pictures on my wardrobes and on my birthday cake and how I cried when he didn’t visit me for my birthday.”
Incredibly endearing videos of the little girl went viral on social media during the hard lockdown. In these videos she tries to re-enforce positive changes and sends encouraging messages to other children. The four-year-old started making video as a way to practice her speech and she became more confident over time.
“Mehran had a serious speech challenge which was easily noticed as soon as she started speaking. She used to stutter and stammer really badly. I then started some speech therapy at home and used to make her speak in front of the mirror. I then decided to record her so she could watch the videos after and see how she could rectify on her own. In another episode, whilst her brother used to practice his orals for School, I noticed that Mehran used to gravitate to this activity and then repeat what he was saying. So, a combination of watching others speak and wanting to make her videos better contributed to her increased confidence eventually,” said her mother, Fatima.
When asked what changes she would make if she becomes president,
the little girl said, “I want to help the children and people. I don’t like to see children hungry or getting hurt. My message to residents is follow rules, wear a mask and keep safe.”
ALSO READ: This little girl’s reaction to Barack Obama leaving is heartbreaking
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