Mr and Miss goodwill

The foundation runs school hygiene, disaster relief and youth development programmes within Ivory Park.

The aim of the pageant is to encourage pupils in high school to become ambassadors for their communities. Hence participants of the beauty pageant are encouraged to volunteer in order make a difference.

On 12 September, contestants were volunteering at Tumelo Home, an orphanage for disabled youth in Ivory Park.

Organiser of the pageant and member of Life 4 U, Neo Molekwa said, “This is a fundraising event. However, I wanted it to benefit not just Life 4 U but the community as well.”

He went on to explain that winners of both the boys and girls categories are expected to be part of community development programmes.

Even though the pageant is meant to raise funds for the foundation, Molekwa believed it had have a bigger purpose.

“I’m hoping that this inspires [contestants] to contribute back to their community. As can be seen today, they are having fun,” he said.

“We chose heritage month for this event because we shouldn’t forget where we come from, it blends well with our theme of community spirit.”

Refilwe Cingi, administrator at the home, said the foundation’s visit could change lives. “We are hoping that they’ll be able to learn to appreciate life as it is,” she said.

According to Cingi, 75 percent of the children in the home were abandoned or orphaned. “We also have adult children on nappies and that also presents a huge challenge,” she said.

Ndisiphiwe Gabavana, a contestant and Grade 11 pupil at Eqinisweni Senior Secondary School said, “It’s all about my community. I’m planning on effecting change in [Ivory Park] and showing the youth that we can make a difference, together.”