Doctor dreaming of Miss SA
COULD it be second time lucky for Karishma Ramdev in her bid to scoop the coveted Miss South Africa crown?
The medical doctor, formerly from Chatsworth and now living in Johannesburg, is among the top 35 vying for the title.
Ramdev, 25, made the top five in the Miss SA contest in 2018.
It’s been a childhood dream of hers to be crowned Miss South Africa ever since she was six years old and saw the cover of a magazine featuring former Miss South Africa Jo-ann Strauss.
“I have always looked up to the previous title holders and have taken so much inspiration and motivation from the powerful woman they are. I want to change lives. Being a doctor allows me to do that in little bits every day but seeing the huge impact the Miss SA platform has made on this country makes me want to be part of it all.”
She said former title-holder
Kerishnie Naiker grew up in her home town and achieved the same dream.
“I see myself echoed in her from the time I was a child until now, and her reign and campaign with regards to TB was incredible.”
Ramdev believes beauty pageants are more relevant now than ever.
“We are changing the perception of beauty and a woman’s role in society. Pageants are no longer about the outer beauty but focus on how a woman can use her strength and knowledge to uplift and empower her community and be a representative for all those who are similar and different to her.”
Ramdev describes herself as compassionate, goal-driven and empathetic.
She said the one thing she would like to do for the people of Chatsworth if she is crowned Miss South Africa is to encourage the youth to not limit themselves when it comes to dreams and goals.
“They can achieve anything they are willing to work hard for. As
Indians, we are a minority group but we can make a difference, look in the mirror and know that you can make that change,” she said.
Ramdev, a full-time medical intern at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, said working on the front line during the lockdown had been stressful.
“Our working hours have increased drastically because of a new Covid-19 roster being implemented. Everything has been trial and error and we are now trying to figure out our ‘new normal’ as no one expected a pandemic of this magnitude to occur.
“I’m blessed to have had my family as my support structure during this time, always encouraging and motivating me.
“Through all the craziness, there is hope for us. In a time of uncertainty, people are able to come together and put the health of everyone above their own needs,” Ramdev said.
“That is truly impressive and inspiring.”