A first for Africa pageants and Janine took the crown
After Covid-19 had thrown a spanner in the works of the Mrs Africa 2021 pageant, it was hosted online. It was local resident, Janine Pretorius, who took home the crown.
Just when it seemed that Covid-19 would be putting a stop to yet another event, our local Janine Pretorius received the exciting news that she had been chosen as Mrs Virtual Africa 2021.
Janine explained that at the start of 2020 she was named a Mrs Africa finalist, which was a dream come true for her.
I was extremely excited to become part of the Africa Pageants sisterhood and of this prestigious journey,” she said.
But Covid-19 forced the pageant to be postponed from November 2020 to February 2021. But as the infection numbers increased, Africa Pageants CEO, Carolyn Botha, decided rather to host the 2021 pageant digitally and online, Janine explained.
Each finalist had to submit a portfolio of their journey during Covid-19 as well as videos of their ramp walks. The judges then conducted Zoom interviews with every contestant.
On 5 December 2020, Janine was crowned Mrs Virtual Africa 2021.
This is a first in the history of the pageant, and Africa Pageants is extremely proud to call me their new titleholder for 2021,” Janine said, adding that she would wear her Mrs Virtual Africa 2021 sash with pride.
The Mrs Africa 2022 pageant will now be held in October 2021 and Janine is a finalist for this pageant as well.
Although lockdown had hampered much of her journey as a finalist, she still managed to host a few events to raise money for charity.
One of these events was a high tea that she hosted for 50 women.
“We had loads of fun as this was the first outing in many months for most of the women. We could breathe a little again.”
She also received over 2 000 bars of soap from Pick n Pay, and toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs and sanitizing wipes during one of her projects.
This enabled her to put together care packs, 500 of which she handed out at local shelters. She will hand out packs at local schools in the area as well.
During my ‘Shoot for a Cause’ charity drive, I received over 50 large refuse bags filled with clothing. I will be doing another similar project later in the year as well,” she said.
She added that for her, 2020 was a year for the history books, one about which stories will be told for generations to come.
“Being fortunate enough not to feel the financial burdens of 2020 as much as others, I was blessed so that I could bless other people by caring and giving.”
