Hanlie van Rooyen (38) is a pageant coach from Strubenvale who teaches young models that beauty and poise should go hand in hand with good deeds and a caring heart.

Her journey in pageantry began when she enrolled her daughters in modelling classes but soon realised that the lessons and competitions did not always instill the values she believed young girls should learn.

In true mom style, she took matters into her own hands and opened her own studio, which now hosts pageants that promote confidence, kindness and community service.

“Giving back and wanting to assist where you can is a lifestyle, it’s part of your character. Not every model does charity or debutant work and that is their choice.

“But nothing is as satisfying as being able to assist where help is needed. It teaches the kids to be thankful for what they have, as it’s not to be taken for granted,” she said.

She prides herself on helping the models redefine what it means to be a pageant queen in today’s era.

“It’s important that title holders have a combination of beauty and brains and that they understand that education and sport are empowering tools. Your worth should be more than just the sash,” she said.

Hanlie says she is inspired by her mother, who shaped the person she is today.

“Her faith is admirable. I grew up being the youngest of five daughters and all my sisters, together with my mom, shaped me.

“Through life lessons, difficult times, thankful times and the ups and downs life threw at me, they made sure I knew that I had a support system and where my strength would come from,” she said.

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Some of her notable work in the community includes assisting a local children’s safety organisation, which was closed about a year ago, by hosting Christmas parties and spending time with the kids.

“I cannot begin to describe the feeling when I would arrive and the kids would run to me screaming ‘Tannie Hanlie’. It is amazing to know that children feel safe around you and that you can put a smile on the face of a child who may never know what it’s like to live a fulfilled life.”

When Hanlie isn’t coaching, she spends her mornings designing and making modelling dresses. She began by making her daughter’s clothing but, upon request, also opened a clothing business called Sparkle Stitch.

“My hopes for the next generation of youngsters is that they will be a kind generation. They should be strong enough to stand up for themselves and have strong boundaries, but also be kind enough to assist, whether it’s with a kind word, word of encouragement or good deed,” she said.