Young model turns warm-hearted giver

From the tender age of 7, she dreamed of having a successful modelling career, but soon winning competitions were not enough. She strove to have more than just a crown and a sash.

The modelling world and charity work go hand-in-hand, and Bianca Rautenbach, a Hoërskool Monument pupil, soon discovered how much joy helping others could bring to her own life.

Now she is known as the school’s Vita Basadi winner in the Young Dignity category. The prestigious event was held at Johannesburg City Hall on 31 August.

When Bianca was still a toddler, her mother, Charlene, made friends with Valma Prinsloo at a local modelling event. Valma was already known for the work she was doing to help the less fortunate. Bianca and Valma’s daughter, Kelsey, became great friends and soon Valma asked Bianca if she would like to tag along as she visited one of the charity events, the Christmas Wishes for Kids, held in 2010.

“Nothing was ever an effort for us when we went to visit people,” Bianca said. In 2010, this love for people became an absolute passion for Bianca and Charlene.

Since then, Bianca has realised that modelling isn’t as fulfilling as charity work. Valma says she has seen Bianca give the crowns or prizes she won to contestants in the younger categories who cried when they didn’t win awards for themselves. “She had such nice encouraging words for them, assuring them they had a chance in future competitions,” Valma said.

More and more of Bianca’s time and attention was devoted to charity work as she came to understand that it was better to help others than to win a pageants.

“When I was a little younger, we visited a small township that had a great need for food and supplies,” Bianca said.

“We held a party for the young girls in the township church to remind them how special they are. There was one girl who wanted to be by my side every day. Each morning she would run to me, jump on my hip and there she would sit – extremely happy – every day. I will never forget the expression on her face as she ran towards me every morning.”

Although she had developed an incredible love for charity work, Bianca stilled loved to participate in pageants. She used her pageant wins as a tool to help others in less fortunate positions. Her love of children grew more intense as she grew older and soon she was well known by the staff of homes for abandoned babies. She donated beds to Cradle of Hope, a house for abandoned babies, and often visited the home to assist with feeding, bathing and playing with the babies.

It wasn’t only less fortunate people who benefited from her kind heart – Bianca’s love for animals inspired her to host fundraisers for Friends of Rescued Animals (Fora) and Woodrock Animal Shelter.

Valma said Bianca did not just donate and attend, she gave her heart, her time, and her soul to what she was doing.

Even though Bianca will be moving on to university soon, she has vowed to never stop devoting her time and love to those who truly need help. She plans to raise awareness for her projects in the town where she is going to study and is already in touch with organisations that need help.

“Every hug Bianca gives, she gives affectionately, without pretence; she’s just a young woman wanting to make a difference,” Valma said. “It’s not just a tight hug she gives – it’s a hidden message – love.”