Local beauty named second princess
She also got the first princess position in the Miss Northern Gauteng pageant
“IT felt more like a sisterhood than a pageant,” says Kelly Griffiths about competing in the Miss Queen South Africa pageant.
The 25-year-old Kempton resident was recently named second princess in the national competition, held at Brooklyn Theatre, Pretoria, in June.
“I was really humbled to have been chosen as a winner. I honestly didn’t think I would place. It’s always better to go in with no expectations and give it your best. What happens thereafter is in God’s hands.”
Over and above that, a few weeks ago she was named first princess in the Miss Northern Gauteng pageant. Clearly this ambitious young lady has a knack for beauty pageants.
A former Laerskool Kruinsig and Hoërskool Birchleigh learner, she has been competing since she was 14 years old.
“I love competing in pageants as it’s a way to express myself and I believe it’s a really good confidence builder,” says Griffiths, who works as a customer service coordinator.
The part-time economics and management sciences student also uses her participation in pageants as a platform for doing charity work, which she is passionate about.
“I have been involved with Kempton Park SPCA since 2013,” she says.
During the Miss Queen South Africa pageant, Griffiths and the other contestants were also involved with an organisation called Dimco (Donald Isaac Maluleke Charity Organisation), which works with children and orphans.
“Working with Dimco, we spent a day at Madzibandlela orphanage in Soshanguve, where we handed out clothes and toys to the children and spent time with them. This was an amazing experience and it was a lot of fun. We really had a special group of girls; it was more like a sisterhood than a competition.”
Griffiths has also, in her own capacity, spent time at Herfsland, Coach (which runs St George’s Home), the Salvation Army and John Wesley Girls’ Home.
Upon completing her studies, she would like to continue working with people and ideally become a manager in training and development.
“I would like to thank everyone that donated towards the charity organisation. I would also like to thank my biggest sponsor, Salon La Cole, owned by Tanya Buys.
“Thank you to my other amazing sponsors, including Barcelos Karen Park, Red Carpet Hairdressing, Coca-Cola, Herbalife, the Department of Sport and Recreation, Bentley Country Lodge, Smart Guy and Smart Bride, Virgin Active, Vukid and Benefit Make-up. I would also like to thank Spar Glen Marais and Capello’s Boksburg for allowing me to make use of their premises to raise funds.”
