Benonian vies for Mrs SA title

Benonians, you have the opportunity to do what you do best – support one of your own.

This time, it’s supporting Mrs South Africa semi-finalist Chane Todd.

The Rynfield resident relies on your votes to help her make it to the next round. But before you pick up your phones to SMS, Todd wants to share some of the reasons she entered and why you should support her.

“Many people have asked why I would enter Mrs South Africa during a pandemic, but this was my leading motivation,” she said.

“It is human nature to look after oneself during a pandemic, but if we all were to have this mindset imagine the catastrophic ripple effect it would have?

“I felt called to implement the change I wanted to see in our country.”

The 31-year-old said when she began this journey, she was nervous.

“I remember entering the first workshop feeling extremely nervous. I tried to look for an area to recluse and then remembered why I was there, so I walked up to the first table and introduced myself and was welcomed by the most fearless women who had triumphed through adversity.

“Each of us strives for one another and embraces the sisterhood they refer to.”

Apart from making new sisters, Todd also had the privilege of listening to Margaret Hirsch speak to the contestants.

“Margaret Hirsch spoke to me in particular as she is at the age of 71 a living testament to the fact that it is never too late to be what you could have been.

“What sets me apart is my vision, drive and passion. My drive is not to only speak on the change I want to see but to also implement it each day, which stems from my passion.

“I do not care for vanity or status but rather the ability to lead with love.”

Personal life

Todd is the daughter of the late Wayne Westner, who in 1996 won the World Cup for South Africa alongside Ernie Els.

“It was such a monumental moment for the country and a living example to us as a family that we could achieve anything we set our minds to.

“We immigrated to Ireland in 1996 to be closer to my father when he was playing the European tour.

“This is the leading reason I can confidently state there is simply no other country as beautiful as South Africa.

“I am married to my best friend, Chas. We have been married for six years and have been together for 13 years.

“We have two beautiful boys, Oliver (4) and Dawson (2), who are the reason I am a realist and believe in miracles.

Work

“I am the CEO and founder of Dandelion Distribution. My career has a story in which I take massive pride.

“I was the sole distributor for an international product and had two individuals who had been sub-distributors under me. They had approached the headquarters to present to them to rather take over the distribution.

“Naturally, this resulted in me losing my ability to trade, my entire database, revenue and nearly my entire company.

“I was eight and half months pregnant and although I applied to 138 different companies, none were willing to offer a pregnant lady nearing her birth date a permanent position, but you have to salute me for trying.

“The stress it bestowed upon me resulted in my son being born three weeks earlier. On August 2, I drove to the hospital during contractions as my husband was trying to make it back from the site.

“I had my son at 8.10pm on the Friday and the following morning I walked to my car got out my laptop and started working again from my hospital bed.

“I refused to fall victim to circumstance but rather allowed it to set the foundation of me as a wife, mother and CEO.

“In one year amid a pandemic, I grew my own proudly South African product, which is distributed to eight international countries, has 400 stockists nationally, I moved to bigger premises and doubled my staff.”

Vying for the Mrs SA title

“Should I become Mrs SA, I would continue to focus on the women of our country. I refuse to accept the stats provided to determine our nation’s powerful women’s education and future.

“Looking back at the previous winners, their beauty did not lie only on the exterior but rather the change and vision they had implemented in our country. Every little girl should aspire to be like such remarkable women.

“The finals take place at the end of June; it is for three days in which 75 per cent of your credit scores are based on your interview skills and 25 per cent on your confidence on stage.

“Mrs SA will host a charity event in aid of woman4woman on July 2. This is where they will announce the top 25 finalists.

“The finals will be held at Emperors Palace in October.”

How to vote

The community has until June to vote for Todd by sending an SMS to 35959 with CHANE TODD in the text.

“I have been in complete and utter awe at the love and support I have received from our community.

“It is not something I will ever take for granted and will forever treasure. Voting is a massive contribution to our Mrs SA journey, it is essentially what represents who South Africa needs as its next reigning queen.”

She advised those who aspire to be and do more in life.

“Remember, the only dream that is not achievable is one you are not working towards. You might just be the next Joyce Meyer, JK Rowling or who knows, even the next president of our country.”