Bay beauty headed to Paraguay for competition
As a little girl all Zoe Ebrahim wanted to be when she grew up was a model, but her protective father said she should wait until she finished school.
Now, after just a year of walking the ramp, she wears the crown of Miss Teen Globe SA.
The mother competition, Miss Teen Universe SA, includes five titles, of which Miss Teen Globe SA is one.
Raised in Gelvandale, Zoe, 19, later moved to Algoa Park.
And while the competition will take her to Paraguay in July, financially it is a tall order.
“Other than my parents’ fundraising efforts, we will have to reach out to potential sponsors to keep my dream alive,” she said.
The aspiring graphic designer said the world of modelling had always fascinated her.
The bug first bit while at Ebenezer Academy Primary School.
“They put on a modelling competition and I loved the excitement of dressing up.
“My parents finally allowed me to pursue modelling in matric while at Linkside High School.”
She then joined Sophisticate Models under the guidance of Gail Brown.
After a friend at Sophisticate Models won the title of Miss Teen Charm SA in 2022, Zoe decided to enter as well.
“I went for auditions for Miss Teen Universe SA at the Radisson Blu Hotel in May last year.
“After I was chosen as a semifinalist, I did charity work at Livingstone and Dora Nginza hospitals.
“Then, in June, I was chosen as one of 80 finalists for Miss Teen Universe SA, and we had our sashing ceremony in July.
“Thereafter I continued with charity work at Yokhuselo Haven.
“I want to continue to support them.”
Zoe was crowned Miss Teen Globe SA at a glitzy event at Sibaya Casino in Durban last month.
The coronation weekend took place from March 22-24.
“It involved doing charity work and interviews and the grand finale on the Sunday.
“It was hard work, with rehearsals often running into the early hours of the next morning.”
But she said when her name was called as a top-10 finalist, and then top six, she had been filled with joy.
Then came the big announcement that she had won the Miss Teen Globe SA crown.
“I felt very proud and knew this was my purpose in life.
“It has always been my dream to represent my country on an international stage.”
Her dad, Anton, said he was extremely proud of his daughter.
“She slipped and fell in the preliminary round, but the way she carried herself after that speaks volumes,” he said.
“She got up and completed what she had set out to do.”
Speaking to other young women unsure if they have what it takes to compete on a national and even international stage, Zoe said: “Every girl has it in her.”