Rapid Fire with Anusha Bisaal
d she would never forget how Roshan would travel from Chatsworth to his aunt’s home in Isipingo just to walk past her house to see her for a few seconds.
After matriculating, she attended a beauty college in Pietermaritzburg.
“I was one of four Indian girls chosen to study at the college. This was the first time the college allowed this.”
After she completed the year-long course, she was offered a job as a beauty therapist with retail store The Hub.
Two years later, she married Roshan in a Hindu ceremony in front of 1000 guests at the Amanzimtoti hall.
They went on to have two daughters, Adhira, 26, a financial accountant, and Rohini, 24, a dentist.
Bisaal lived with her inlaws for eight years before moving to their three-bedroom home in Rossburgh.
“When we got married my husband was just a driver. He gradually progressed to a van assistant and supervisor.”
She opened a beauty clinic in West Street in the Durban CBD where she specialised in permanent make-up.
“I just took a chance and trusted in God that my business would flourish.”
Soon after she opened shop, Roshan’s company faced closure. “He took his ‘package’, bought a bakkie and started a courier company.”
Bisaal said at times they had faced uphill financial battles, with the profits from her business providing for the family.
“But Roshan’s business took a turn for the better when he merged the company with one from Johannesburg.
“Since then the courier business has grown.”
She went on to study towards a degree in management and pursued other courses related to beauty.
But after being the victim of two attempted hijackings, she decided to close the clinic and opened one in Springfield.
Bisaal decided to close shop again after the lease expired, to have more time to focus on her children.”
While at home Bisaal started the Mrs India South Africa contest in 2001 and more recently, the Miss Uniworld pageant.
“I have since handed over the Mrs India South Africa to someone else and am focusing on the youth. My aim is to pull out uncut diamonds and make them shine.”
Bisaal said her pageants were never about skin colour, money, status or showing off bodies in swimsuits.
“My pageant has always been a platform for women to give back to society through the SHE Force foundation.
“Through the foundation we have help children’s organisations, schools, the elderly and even started a sanitary pad drive.”
When she is not busy with pageantry, Bisaal loves spending time with her family.
“I don’t have many hobbies. I enjoy the occasional swim in our pool but I am the happiest when I am with my hubby and daughters.
“We can go on random drives, have dinner together or sit on the couch watching television. They are certainly my pride and joy.” ■ Favourite item of clothing in your cupboard:
The hair grips I have from Standard 3 (now Grade 5).
■ Best advice you’ve received:
“This too shall pass.” A quote from my grandfather when things were tough.
■ Describe yourself as a teenager in three words. Fashionista, energetic and sporty.
■ Pet peeve: I hate lies.
■ If a movie was being made of your life, who would play you?
Definitely one of my daughters.
■ The strangest thing you’ve eaten:
Crocodile. It just tasted weird.
■ If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
My grandfather.
■ Favourite food: Veggies.
■ Favourite travel destination: India.
■ Phobias:
I suffer from bathmophobia – the fear of stairs. This happened after I fell down a flight of stairs at the wedding of one of my husband’s staff member and landed at the bride’s feet.