Mrs South Africa semi-finalist pastor-beauty queen inspires young women

Mrs South Africa semi-finalist Buli Sihlali-Woolley is living out her dream – to equip young women to find their God-given purpose in life.

In 2012, at the age of 27, she was the youngest female clergy to enter ministry in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.

A courageous, single-mother at the time she was sent by the church to minister into patriarchal communities that had little time for unmarried women.

But she did not waver in her commitment, and supported by the church, she has since found her calling.

“We were all meant to flourish, but I spent so many years in survival mode that I know how difficult it can be for young women to find their way,” she said, speaking to women at her Let’s Thrive ladies luncheon in Sheffield on Saturday.

Buli more recently found love in the church too, marrying fellow priest Bruce Woolley in 2019.

They moved to All Souls Anglican church in Sheffield in January when Bruce accepted the position of rector. Buli continues as the assistant priest at St Martin’s in Durban.

Despite the seemingly stark contrast between the church and a beauty pageant, she said she felt as though she had been called into both by God.

“God gave me a vision to start a women’s NPO, so I could help women by walking alongside them.”

Through Still She Rises Buli has started her Sister 2 Sister programme to encourage young girls to be discerning, critical thinkers.

“I want young women to find their own voice and power in this complex world. While adolescence is a time of great vulnerability for girls, it is also an ideal time to leverage development and diplomacy efforts. It is an opportunity to disrupt poverty from becoming a permanent condition, that is passed on from one generation to the next.”

But Let’s Thrive was not so much about Buli, as about encouraging and building into the lives of every woman present.

“We are not here to celebrate me but to celebrate each other. Our young girls need authentic real women to be their role models,” she said.

Guest speakers businesswoman Indrani Govender and KwaDukuza teacher and comedian Mello Gilbert both inspired the audience with their candid and heartfelt stories.

Indrani shared how she experienced rock-bottom before triumphing, with her efforts in her construction business winning her a prestigious national award for job creation.

She was personally awarded by then deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa in 2014.

To vote for Buli in Mrs South Africa, SMS Buli Sihlali-Woolley to 35959.