And I asked myself; are we living in the Middle Ages? Are we such backward thinkers?

What I have taken from this announcement is that pageants are seriously out of touch with reality.

They claim to represent the girl next-door and finding a role model for young women, but I think they are seriously off mark if they think having rules such as “no tattoos allowed” represents how the real women looks or should look like.

A number of people get themselves inked for a number of different reasons.

It may be a special remembrance of a moment a person one would like never to forget.

Or it may symbolise a name of a loved one who has passed away or that they just love tattoos in general.

Why should those people be crucified for expressing themselves in their own special way?

And importantly, I think a lot of young people who look up to pageant contestants would like to see themselves being represented.

I know I would like to see a woman that embodies a true reflection of life.

The regular girl out there is looking for inspiration and truth, not the lies of what is deemed as perfection.

If the organisers of the Miss South Africa pageant want to remain relevant and in touch with realty then they need to rework their outdated rules.

They should, instead, embrace the beauty that a number of women in this country have to offer.

Whether they have tattoos or have curves they are beautiful and perfect just the way they are. ZM