Real wives of Kempton in top 100 for Tammy Taylor Mrs South Africa
The Tammy Taylor Mrs South Africa is a pageant that celebrates and honours the empowerment of South African women
Two of Kempton’s very own wives have been announced as semi-finalists of the Tammy Taylor Mrs South Africa top 100.
As semi-finalists, Kimeashni Naidoo and Kaylan Bartlett will go through four months of workshops, mentorship programmes, as well as interviews, and will raise funds for Women4Women South Africa.
The Tammy Taylor Mrs South Africa is a pageant that celebrates and honours the empowerment of South African women.
The annual event was created for married women who would ordinarily not have such a platform to compete and be ambassadors for South Africa on a global scale.
Only 25 women will be selected and announced as finalists at a charity ball at Emperor’s Palace on June 29.
EXPRESS asked the two a few questions.
For Naidoo, mother of one and a Croydon resident, entering the pageant was a last-minute decision.
“I wanted to step out of my comfort zone, make a change, take a stand and share my story. I entered to grow into my strengths and weaknesses as a woman,” she said.
Bartlett, a Birch Acres resident and mom to a labrador, said she entered the pageant to fulfil her passion for teaching.
“This is more than a pageant; it is the largest women empowerment initiative in the country. I currently am able to fulfil my passion for teaching as a mentor and coach to young girls and boys at the Shaw-Butler Dance studio where I am a teacher in training.
“The Tammy Taylor Mrs South Africa is the best platform for me to learn from those who inspire our nation so I can transfer this new knowledge to my young students,” she said.
What makes Naidoo proudly South African is having and making new friends and living in colour. “Being proudly South African comes with being part of a diverse culture and part of its activities and traditions.”
Bartlett is proud of our country’s victorious attitude.
“We as a country have faced challenges that have seemed insurmountable due to our history and past but, at the same time, we still make a concerted effort to celebrate where we are today as a success story.”
What does winning mean to them?
“Winning would be the cherry on top. All the doors that have already been opened by being a semi-finalist, I want to use to my advantage to bring awareness for my cause and to create a purpose for all women and young girls to feel the love and be encouraged,” pointed out Naidoo.
“Winning to me means that I have a platform to really and truly make a difference to the lives the foundation is involved with. I will have the opportunity to develop my community by identifying people and organisations in desperate need of the foundation’s assistance and, along with Women4Women, empower these people in a more sustainable manner,” explained Bartlett.
Bartlett is a mineral resource geologist by profession and in her spare time runs an Irish and Highland Dance shoe importing company that stemmed from her passion as a competitive Irish dancer.
“I am currently completing my second master’s degree in engineering at Wits University after having been awarded my masters in science from UCT in 2016.”
Naidoo, on the other hand, is a student and brand ambassador.
“I am a Unisa B Com marketing management student and the brand ambassador for international natural beauty products from Lohasys, which are to be released in South Africa at the end of June.”
It is now the third month since the two first found out they had made it into the top 100.
How are the finalists feeling?
“The feeling is still indescribable and exhilarating. It is so heart-warming to know that 90-odd other women are feeling what you are feeling and are sharing these experiences with you,” an excited Naidoo stated.
“I am extremely excited and so inspired and motivated to just do more than I ever previously thought I could. We have had some amazing workshops with the current title holder Nicole Capper, as well as previous title holders, and I just feel so grateful and lucky to be in this situation,” an over-the-moon Bartlett detailed.
What makes them happy?
Naidoo said, “My daughter and my husband are the core of my happiness and love. Spending much time with them brings me joy.”
“Being grateful for everything I have and every opportunity I am afforded truly makes me happy,” added Bartlett.
Bartlett is inspired by stories of victory through dark and bright times. “No matter who the players are in the situation, if a challenge is overcome by these individuals, I am inspired by them.”
Naidoo’s inspiration stems from women and children around South Africa who are less fortunate. “I want to become an inspiration to these women and children and have a positive impact on their lives. They make me want to do better and be better for them.”
Naidoo would like to be remembered as a humble soul with a big heart. “The woman who gives without being asked and loves without being told, is how I want to be remembered.”
“I would like to leave a room of people with whom I have engaged, to feel happier than before I entered. I want to be remembered most by the impact and feeling I left behind in people once they have met me,” said Bartlett.
