Springs’ beauty queen Bejandri Lourens has secured the title of first princess at Miss International South Africa on August 9 in Johannesburg.

It was a journey that tested her confidence, resilience and authenticity.

Lourens said being called into the top two was already a proud moment, although waiting for the winner to be announced was nerve-wracking. “When I was called, I was honestly just so grateful to have made it that far,” she said.

While she was disappointed when her name was not called as the winner, Lourens said the sadness was accompanied by gratitude and pride for how far she had come.

She expressed how proud she was of herself for making it that far and for everything she had accomplished throughout the journey.

For Lourens, the achievement carries particular significance because she was not only representing herself but also her hometown.

“Coming from Springs and being able to stand on a national stage and finish as 1st Princess showed me that your background or where you come from does not limit how far you can go,” she said.

She described representing Springs as a ‘huge honour’, saying she wanted to showcase the potential of the community and its people.

Lourens noted that every time she stepped onto that stage, she knew she was not just representing herself but also where she came from.

One of the biggest challenges Lourens faced during the competition was learning to trust herself.

She said it was easy to compare herself with other contestants and question whether she was doing enough, but she eventually realised she did not need to change who she was to earn her place in the competition.

Lourens believes her authenticity also helped her stand out from the other contestants.

“I never wanted to walk into a room and try to be what I thought a pageant queen should be. I wanted to be myself, kind, passionate, hard-working and genuine,” she said.

Her pageant journey has also changed the way she views confidence.

Lourens said she has become more resilient and confident in using her voice while learning that she does not have to change herself to fit a particular image of a pageant contestant.

Her family and friends were also instrumental throughout the journey, supporting her during both the highs and lows.

ALSO CHECK: GTI targets unroadworthy taxis in Gauteng road safety operation

“They encouraged me when I was nervous, celebrated my achievements with me and reminded me who I was when I doubted myself,” she said.

Lourens hopes to use her voice to empower young people and uplift women and children.

Through her modelling school and JustBrave Foundation, she plans to continue creating opportunities and making a meaningful impact.

She also encouraged young girls in Springs who dream of entering pageants not to count themselves out before giving themselves a chance.

“Don’t disqualify yourself before you even give yourself a chance. You don’t have to look a certain way, come from a certain background or fit into a certain box to pursue your dreams.”

Although Lourens is excited to see where her new opportunity takes her, she has not ruled out another attempt at the title in the future.

“If everything aligns and the opportunity presents itself, I would absolutely love to come back one day and fight for this title again,” she said.

Lourens expressed that she would return with the experience, purpose and determination gained from her first journey, while continuing to use her platform to inspire others.