Maraisburg resident a Miss Africa finalist
'I want to be an inspiration to all women – young and old.'
Riany van der Merwe, a Maraisburg resident, is a Miss Africa 2019 finalist, and she wants to use this platform to make a difference in the community.
“I entered this competition because I want to be an inspiration to all young girls and women who have lost their identity because of past experiences. I would love to be part of the process where women own their dignity and self-respect, as well as their beauty, and embrace who they are. I want our women to live a life of true, redefined purpose, no matter what they are facing in life,” she said.
She added that she grew up in Kliptown, and always knew that she was created for a greater purpose. “While my friends got married and lived their lives, I went to study further, and, thanks to the Palayandi family, I even had the opportunity to go overseas to work. When I returned home, I auditioned for Miss Africa, and, after being chosen as a finalist, I knew that this was the start of something new. This was my chance to help others,” Riany said.
Children are very near to her heart, and it is evident through the charity work she is doing in the community. “I am working on getting sponsors for the Dignity Dreams packs and desk bags for underprivileged children. Dignity Dreams packs consist of reusable and washable sanitary pads, that are given to underprivileged girls, to help keep them in school. The desk bags are given to children in the community, where there are no desks or tables available for them to do their homework on. Education is a fundamental principle in life, and I want to show children that there is fun education through sport and art,” she explained.
She concluded by saying that to make a difference or change in a life, you do not need to be highly educated or super intelligent, you just need to be the change you want to see.
To help Riany realise her dream of becoming Miss Africa 2019, vote for her by SMSing Ms01 to 47018. Smses cost R2.
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