KWT girl to compete for prestigious titles
A KING William’s Town “tween” will represent the Eastern Cape in this year’s 20th annual face of Miss Mini Teen South Africa, as well as Miss Queen of the World 2018.
Caitlyn Cassels, 12, will jet off to Johannesburg in April to join other young girls from all over the country all hoping to snatch the crown.
Caitlyn, who started modelling in pageants from a very young age, will compete for the first time for a title under Pageant SA.
She has also received an open entry for Miss Queen of the World, which will take place in Johannesburg next month.
The young lady’s mom, Sino Cassels, said she was proud of her daughter and they were looking forward to the pageants.
Sino said although they lacked support from the community on some of the projects that needed to be completed, they were still eager to complete projects.
“Miss Mini Teen is her first big pageant and we are extremely happy and excited for the pageants.
“The projects have proven to be a bit of a challenge and we have been lacking support from the community, but we are hopeful that things will get better,” she said.
Founded by Carolyn Baldwin in 1999, Pageant SA has crowned over 6 000 titleholders under various titles such as King and Queen of the World, Supreme Queen, Miss and Mr Tourism, and Best Model SA.
Baldwin said title holders have assisted on various charity projects and have been involved in community work around South Africa, with the focus on helping those less fortunate and those in need.
The two charities that Pageants SA have selected to support this year with the national finalists is the Mimi Foundation and Deskbags.
Finalists are required to raise funds to purchase packs of Mimi sanitary pads which will be distributed within the finalists’ less fortunate communities. In 2017, Pageant SA reached 70 000 distributions.
Finalists will also raise funds to purchase and distribute Deskbags to communities that do not have school desks and pupils without a place at home to do their homework.
“We are looking for poise, posture, and a vibrant young girl who will really work hard in representing her title. We expect contestants to take part in charity work.
“Before walking across the ramp for the final pageant models, in front of a panel of judges they have to explain what they will do with the title and share some of the charity work they have done in the past.
“The main prize of the competition is the title. Although there will be other prizes from sponsors, the competition is not about what they can get but rather what they can give back to community,” she said.
The final pageant will take place in Pretoria from April 3 to April 7.