Local beauty, Daniella Letuma has been turning her challenges into opportunities as she went from bullied to blossoming in only a couple of years.
This 19-year-old only entered the pageant scene last year when she competed in Miss Teen World South Africa. She subsequently placed in the Top 80 and was given the opportunity to walk on a national stage for the very first time.
“I started pageantry in my final year of high school in order to make friends. Seeing that I was home-schooled for my entire high school career, I never had much opportunity to be around others my age, so I thought pageantry would be a great way to practise my social skills and hopefully make life-long friends,” she said.
Before she knew it, she fell in love with the process and entered her second pageant, Miss Teen Southern Africa, at the beginning of this year. Danielle is proud that she is currently one of 26 finalists in this prestige competition.
“I grew up being bullied for my weight and my Afro hair as I was living overseas at the time where people mostly had a different hair type to mine,” she said.
“I entered this pageant to teach the young people of South Africa what bullying can do to people and their mental well-being in the long run. My perfect world is one where we all respect each other regardless of our differences.”
Daniella enjoys the pageant scene because it provides her with the opportunity to reflect on herself as a person. It also allowed her to identify her strengths and weaknesses, and to come to terms with who she is and what she stands for.
According to the enthusiast, such experiences also provide one with many opportunities to grow. She went on to say that she had become much better at socialising and even faced her fear of being on stage.
She also hopes to improve the lives of others in the process.
“I’m currently holding a clothing and blanket drive to donate winter clothes to children who need them. If anyone would like to donate clothes they can contact me on my Instagram page, @danithepinkdaisy,” Daniella said.
If you want to show some support, vote for the young finalist by visiting her other Instagram page, @teensouthernafrica2.
