Dedicated to helping others through hardship

 

WHEN it was suggested to Angelique du Preez that she enter the Mrs Zululand 2016 pageant, she did not think it was in her.

But after much deliberation and prayer, she came to the realisation that the experience would not only help her reach out to others but would be part of her own healing process.

‘At first I did not believe I could do it but then God put it in my heart and I realised it was something I needed to do,’ said Angelique.

‘Being a mother, a wife and having a full-time job does not make it easy but my family has been incredibly supportive. I could not be doing it without their blessing and support.’

A relative newcomer to Zululand, Angelique has lived in Mtubatuba’s Riverview Village since 2013.

After some difficult experiences as a child, Angelique has dedicated her life – and her Mrs Zululand campaign – to helping abused women and children.

She is a woman of incredible faith so it is little wonder that she was asked to give a motivational talk at a Mother’s Day event at the Umfolozi Trading Post. ‘A virtuous woman’ was Angelique’s chosen subject and one that she knows in her heart would have touched at least one person on the day.

‘We all have the ability to be virtuous and, with God as your leader, He points you in the right direction.’

Since becoming a Mrs Zululand finalist, Angelique has organised numerous charity events, including a CANSA shavathon at work and, together with the current Mrs Zululand, Chyrese Coetser, an Easter day for the children of Mtubatuba’s Destiny House orphanage.

Angelique has also organised food parcels for needy families in the region.

‘If there is one message I have for other women, it is to be bold, strong and be yourself. Out of bad things come good things if you let them.’

As a Mrs Zululand finalist, Angelique wants most to be an inspiration and a positive role model to others.