“Be the change you want to see in others.”
This is the quote that inspired Charné Coetzee to overcome her fear of public speaking, and has now led her to the International Junior Miss competition and hopefully to Texas.

In April last year Charné won the International Junior Miss South Africa competition and has now qualified for the competition that will be held in Texas in July.

She calls herself a ‘girl on the go’ and said she strives to leave her mark in her community – be it with modelling or any of her other extra-curricular activities or community work.

She has been gracing the modelling stage for the past five years.

It all started when she attended a course at a local modelling agency. Apart from teaching the students how to do public speaking and take care of their image, they also touched on modelling, and Charné subsequently decided to try it out.

Her first competition was the Mini Miss RSA, and after that Charné was hooked.

To keep fit, she plays hockey for her school. She said hockey relieves her stress and has made her more patient.

Charné also does ballet and is part of her school’s drama and revue groups. She is a very proud Sharks supporter, and spending time with her family is her favourite thing in the whole world.

One of the people she loves spending time with is her little brother who has Pierre Robin Syndrome and needs special care.

For Charné to fulfil her dream and compete on the international stage, her family has to get R120 000 together. They are appealing to anyone who would like to assist with any donations to contact Terry on 073 995 0318.