The Miss Eagle South Africa pageant is the first of its kind. It entails, and promotes, the term 'Beauty with Brains and Purpose.' The heart behind the pageant is to empower women both physically and mentally, in a sense where they can explore their self-worth, confidence and esteem. The pageant will take place on Saturday, December 15. The Laudium Sun caught up with Miss Eagle 2018 brand ambassador, local lass, Ridwaanah Aziz of Bengal Street, Laudium, for a Q and A session about the pageant.
What is your role as brand ambassador for the pageant?
Being a Brand Ambassador for Miss Eagle South Africa 2018 commits me to creating awareness, through empowering women and bringing about a ground breaking transformation in the approaches of young women. My pride and joy as a Brand Ambassador is also representing Miss Eagle South Africa, in making the effort to promote the platform in a virtuous way, and efficiently interacting with the media too. My image and role as a Brand Ambassador focuses on a great deal of communication and interpersonal skills, leadership skills, team-building, and dealing with conflict and criticism. My meaning and role as Brand Ambassador is also living and breathing the pageant as a brand.
Tell us a little bit more about the Miss Eagle Pageant?
The pageant is different from the norms of typical pageantry, in that it does not place emphasis on a pretty face, but simply what beauty from within can change in a young woman and society as a whole. Many women are demotivated by physical appearance, mind sets and other commitments, but the platform enables women to see beyond that. The pageant seeks women that are fierce and burning with great desire, and someone who can open the door for opportunities to the community and the world as her own.
Is this the first year that you are involved with the Miss Eagle Pageant?
Yes, it is the first year that I am involved with the Miss Eagle Pageant. It is the first of many more pageants within the category, and certainly not the last.
Have you been involved in other pageants?
Yes, I have been involved in a pageant in 2012, titled 'Face of Cinderella Magic', which featured celebrity judge, Mishka Peera, a former Miss India SA finalist. The pageantry further consisted of an image, deportment, grooming and a confidence building workshop. The pageant has given me a leg up on building my confidence and securing my future too.
What do you enjoy most about the role?
Its not about the crown; it's what you can do with it. I believe that the joy that comes from my role and from the smile I can put on another person's face every day. I am yet to still achieve the crown, but that's not all that matters to me. Interacting with various people on different levels is what I enjoy, and this makes me a people's person. What I enjoy the most of being a Brand Ambassador for Miss Eagle, is helping the people you lead achieve more than they ever dreamed possible.
Tell us a bit more about yourself? Where you live? How old are you?
I am an independent 20-year-old and reside in Laudium. I am a second year psychology student at Unisa and serving humanity has led me to this very career path. I describe myself as a fierce, dedicated, spontaneous and vibrant go-getter. I would define myself as a young, optimistic woman, as I always see everything as a remarkable opportunity to make great change, the sky is the limit. I believe that self-confidence is the key to success and happiness. I am a simple and family-orientated person, and very talkative too. My motivation is 'perfect is not everything, flawed is what makes one realize their self-worth'. In 2015, I had to undergo a kidney removal, but defying all odds, I managed to push myself, along with the support of my family. I believed that this fate was the beginning of something extraordinary for me.
What are your plans for the future?
I plan to lead a simple and stress-free life, and I am certain everyone plans the same. Concerning my studies, getting real work experience will enhance what I learned during the years. Along with this, I hope to lay the foundations of my own psychological counselling practice and to help many. As time proceeds, I would not only like to empower women, but also include the vision of men out there.
Where and how can people follow your journey?
People can follow my journey through Facebook (Ridwaanah Aziz – Miss Eagle South Africa 2018 Brand Ambassador – Gauteng) and on Instagram (RidwaanahAziz_MESA2018)
How can people vote for you?
Voting lines for Miss Eagle South Africa are open to the public. No free bundles and SMSs allowed. To cast your vote for me, simply SMS Ridwaanah to 35334. You may vote as many times as you like.
