Dr Lilliana plans to help Tembisa girls revealed
Dr Lulli-Marucchi said the journey to the finale helped her to return to the woman she was before medical school.
For the next year, all second princess duties of the Schwarzkopf Professional Mrs South Africa fall on the shoulders of Bedforview’s Dr Lilliana Lulli-Marucchi.
The NEWS caught up with the 33 year old, who reflected on the highs, lows and highlights of the pageant.
Dr Lulli-Marucchi, a community service doctor at Tembisa Hopsital’s Trauma Unit, said the journey to the finale helped her to return to the woman she was before medical school.
“What the competition aims to achieve with participants is help us become better women and for me, the journey has been going back to the woman I was at medical school. It has reminded me to pause for a bit, take a deep breath and become the woman I was before being diagnosed with cancer, starting my internship and then becoming a community service doctor,” said Dr Lulli-Marucchi.
She said one of her highlights was when she had to prepare a two-minute presentation summarising her journey.
“I sat down and reflected on how this journey has impacted on me and the way I take on my roles as wife, stepmom and doctor. As far as the night is concerned, my highlight has to be the opening scene. I loved the energy among all of us. We stood there with one heart and in the same spirit. I also got to wear a doek (head wrap) for the first time, which was exciting,” said Dr Lulli-Marucchi.
Dr Lulli-Marucchi’s gold sponsor, Maserati South Africa, congratulated and wished her well on her journey.
“Many congratulations to the amazing [Dr] Lilliana Lulli-Marucchi, who was crowned Second Princess in the Schwarzkopf Professional Mrs South Africa for 2017. Maserati is extremely proud to have been your on-the-road sponsor for the competition,” said the company.
Dr Lulli-Marucchi said she cannot wait to hit the road running.
“I have big plans. Soon I will be rolling out my gynaecology education programme. There is a dire need, especially in an area like Tembisa, for education. For this programme I will go through various schools because the girls are already there,” said Dr Lulli-Marucchi.
Although she is sad that the finale has come and gone, she said she will forever hold dear the friendships made along the journey.
