Kempton woman champions creativity and self-worth

Kempton Park resident Trudie Oosthuizen is combining her passions for art, counselling and modelling with a commitment to giving back to her community as she continues pursuing her dreams in the pageant industry.

Oosthuizen said her desire to help others was instilled in her from a young age by her mother.

“I’ve always been involved in helping my community. I think I got this from my mother, who’s been helping her own community since I was a little girl.

“To help wherever I can was never strange for me, so it wasn’t an issue to incorporate it into my life,” she said.

ALSO READ: Ekurhuleni darts teams strike gold at national championships

Her focus is on what she describes as inner healing and identity, with a particular passion for supporting women and young girls.

Oosthuizen said she is concerned by the number of young girls and women who, in her view, struggle to recognise their own value or feel pressured to conform to expectations around them.

She believes creativity is something unique to every person and can play a role in helping people express themselves.

“We all have gifts that were given to us, not for ourselves, but for everyone around us. We can’t use them if we’re suppressing ourselves. Embracing who you are and how you were created, and using your God-given gifts to uplift, brings joy and satisfaction and healing and purpose,” she said.

Through her art, Oosthuizen said she has witnessed people reconnect with their sense of purpose, process difficult experiences and rediscover old dreams and passions.

While she contributes directly through her community work, Oosthuizen said financial support from people and organisations who believe in her initiatives would help her reach more people.

ALSO READ: Sunlight Pre-School marks Valentine’s Day with flowers and hearts

Even basic supplies such as paper and pencils come at a cost, she said, but the potential impact of creative work makes the investment worthwhile.

For Oosthuizen, making a difference means encouraging others to recognise their potential.

“What being a woman who makes a difference in my community means to me is a woman who supports, uplifts, and encourages others, both men and women, to reach their full potential,” she said.

She added that strength, in her view, is reflected through character, kindness and remaining true to one’s values.

Oosthuizen credits her grandmother and mother as two of the biggest influences in her life. From them, she said, she learned the importance of hard work, dedication, perseverance and prayer.

Her participation in pageantry has also introduced her to women who have inspired her, including Madelain Roscher, Joani Johnson and Margaret Hirsch.

Balancing her career, personal goals and community work requires careful planning, Oosthuizen said. She prioritises the people closest to her before expanding her time and energy to other commitments.

Although she last participated in pageants as a teenager, she said returning to the industry has challenged her to step outside her comfort zone and grow.

ALSO READ: Ekurhuleni runner Lefa Kwanele targets national qualification as CGA season starts

The current pageant journey has also helped her develop connections with people who have supported her initiatives and introduced her to others who could assist with her work.

Oosthuizen said she had not initially realised how pageantry could complement her community initiatives.

“I admittedly didn’t know a beauty pageant could link my initiatives together and open all these doors,” she said.

Through the experience, she said she has learned the importance of building meaningful connections and using opportunities to share her message.

Her advice to women and young girls is to pursue opportunities even when they do not feel completely ready.

“If the opportunity arises, grab it with both hands. You are never too young, too old, too uneducated, to follow your dream. And don’t wait for when you feel ready, because you will never feel ready,” she said.

“There’s nothing wrong with having a comfort zone, but you only have this because you’ve yet to experience the unknown. This is the only way to reach your dream.”

ALSO READ: From Bokamoso Secondary to the arts industry: Thembisa-born Vusimuzi Khoza’s story

Oosthuizen believes finding and using one’s voice is part of an ongoing journey of personal growth.
“How can you know how loud your voice will be if you never shout? How can you know how much emotion a certain someone will show if you never share your self-expression?” she said.

“Of course, there’s a time to hone your skills, a time to become who you want to be. But that doesn’t stop once you show yourself, you continue to develop and change even as you make an impact. So don’t be afraid of it.”