Liesl Laurie visits Miss Eldos hopefuls to inspire, motivate and encourage
She urged them to steer clear of the trappings of materialism so prevalent in our society, saying, "I can't pride myself on something I haven't earned."
On March 29, 2015 South Africans in general and Eldorado Park residents in particular, waited with bated breath for the new Miss South Africa to be announced. With good reason too, one of our own, Liesl Laurie was vying for the title.
When the new Miss South Africa was finally announced, Eldos held its collective breath and the euphoria when Laurie was crowned, spilled over onto the streets in celebration of the fact that we made national headlines for something other than the rampant crime and drug use which the area is plagued by.
Three years have passed since then and the striking 27-year-old, who is a noted social activist in her own right, has not forgotten the area. Responding to a call from Twirl Models founder and Mrs Africa 2018 first princess as well as last year’s Mrs Africa Tourism winner, Diane Robertson-Tsotetsi, the former Miss South Africa visited Eldorado Park to give a motivational talk to this year’s Miss Eldos hopefuls on June 23.
In an intimate setting at the home of Local Drug Action Committee chairperson, Cheryl Pillay, Laurie-through a series of anecdotes-told the aspiring models about her journey to the Miss South Africa finals and her journey since edging out 11 other hopefuls to scoop the coveted title.
This year’s pageant, in a move away from the norm, is set on providing ‘mentorship through pageantry’, according to Robertson-Tsotetsi, who has collaborated with the Eldos Arts and Jazz Foundation (EAJF) to-in her words- ‘provide entrants with a platform for our girls to reinvent themselves, reimagine themselves and be a symbol of the new face of resilience from our community’.
Of Laurie’s words of motivation to the young girls assembled at the session, Robertson-Tsotetsi added, “I reached out to miss Liesl Laurie because the slogan of Twirl Models is ‘Mentoring through
Pageantry’.”
“I could not launch such a concept without giving credit to her. She is a symbol of poise, strength and hope for our girls, especially those who want to pursue a career within the industry.”
The young girls listened to the speaker raptly as she spoke about her life and the many obstacles she faced, both personally and publicly. Laurie has negotiated a number of pitfalls which they could relate to and the lessons she has taken away from her trek, clearly resonated with them as a few heads could be seen nodding in agreement.
She urged them to steer clear of the trappings of materialism so prevalent in our society, saying, “I can’t pride myself on something I haven’t earned.”
EAJF director, Netesha Armien, also provided words of motivation and encouragement to the contestants and thanked Laurie for availing her time as she was considered a role model to many teens in the area.
The Miss Eldos finale will be held on June 29 at the Don Mateman Hall in Extension Five and the organisers assured participants that the pageant classes would continue afterwards.
WATCH: Liesl Laurie imparting words of wisdom to this year’s participants
Robertson-Tsotetsi said, “Twirl Models participants will be participating in Miss Africa, Ms Africa Elite, Mrs Africa Classic, Miss Teen SA and I aspire to prepare and mentor the Miss Eldo’s title holders for the Miss South Africa pageant as well.”
For more information on enrolments for Twirl Models: email: twirlmodels@gmail.com or visit the Eldo’s Arts and Jazz Foundation offices at Don Mateman Hall for more information.
