Ballito’s Margie Els in the running for Mrs Africa Classic

She is a perfectly groomed, elegant lady who is not afraid to get her hands dirty and get involved in the lives of those people who have been given the cold shoulder by society.

Ballito’s Margie Els is a wife, mother to three children and recently-turned grandmother and is one of 14 finalists in the 40-60 year category of Mrs Africa Classic 2018/2019.

“Mrs Africa is not about what you look like in a bikini. It is open to all women of Africa of all shapes and sizes who make a difference in their community,” said Els, who has taken part in many pageants of this nature and has organised charity fund raisers to help babies, adults and gogos in need.

Also read: A pretty dime for the Orphan Fund

“Beauty is not physical, it comes from the heart and there are a lot of different aspects to it such as being kind, having compassion and making someone smile.”

The Mrs Africa Foundation is the official charity organisation of the Mrs Africa Pageant and finalists will be raising awareness and funds for the Nzuri Project which aims to treat the Endemic Goitre Condition in central Africa which affects thousands and the main cause is the traditional eating of cassava and cabbage and deficiency in selenium and iodine.

The second official charity is Dignity Dreams washable and reusable sanitary pads and DeskBags which are lightweight satchel bags that convert into portable lap desk for school children who do not have a desk at home or at school to work.

“I love these products because they are so useful. Both products are environmentally friendly – the desktop bags are made from recycled billboard material and Dignity Dreams pads will not end up in landfills like single-use sanitary pads that are not biodegradable. My aim is to raise enough money to buy 100 of each product which will then be handed out to underprivileged, local school children.”

The trained nursing sister said being involved in charity work has fed her soul in a way that no amount of money can.

“I led a selfish life for a long time wanting fast cars and elaborate holidays but it does not make you happy.

“We live in a time where there is so much injustice and poverty, yet we waste so much. You cannot fix the world, but you can make a small difference.”

To get involved, contact Els on 082 579 5888.

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