Ke-ami Naidoo (18), from Primrose, was thrilled to discover that she was one of the 36 finalists in the Zee World Miss Teen Commonwealth Pageant 2017.<\/p>\n
The pageant aims to empower teenage girls with the knowledge to become young leaders and focuses on leadership skills, modelling and public speaking.<\/p>
In addition, all of the pageant\u2019s contestants need to make a difference in their communities during the competition by getting involved with local charities and causes they are passionate about.<\/p>\n
Ambitious Ke-ami, who was born in Durban and moved to Primrose with her mother, Anitha Hansrojh, when she was very young, entered the competition after seeing it advertised on Facebook.<\/p>
\u201cI have always wanted to take part in something like this, but I just never got around to it.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, this year I decided to step out of my comfort zone and enter,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n
Ke-ami hopes that the competition will allow her an opportunity to be a good role model to other young women within the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel girls and young women have a tendency to be very insecure because we look up to models and movie stars and strive to be like them, putting ourselves down.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope to show, through the pageant, that any girl or young woman can become whatever they want to become and they shouldn\u2019t let their insecurities get in the way,\u201d Ke-ami said.<\/p>\n
She is currently studying a bachelor of law through Unisa and feels that it has sparked her passion to help people.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter watching my mom struggle as a single mom I decided to study law so that I can help other single mothers,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Through the pageant, Ke-ami will be supporting the Avril Elizabeth Home, as she has always had a soft spot for children and adults with disabilities, by collecting items that the home needs, as well as collecting sanitary pads for the female members of the Special Olympics team.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel that the disabled are often overlooked and do not get the support they need, and I want to change that,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
If you would like to donate to or get involved in either of Ke-ami\u2019s projects, you can email her on keaminaidoo@gmail.com or visit her Facebook page by searching Ke-ami Naidoo – Zee World Miss Teen Commonwealth Finalist 2017<\/a>.<\/p>\n Despite making it to the finals, Ke-ami still gets overwhelmed by the pageant and the thought of competing against the other finalists.<\/p>\n \u201cAlmost all the girls in the pageant have modelling experience or have won a pageant and I have neither,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n But, with her mother\u2019s unwavering support and her determination, she plans to make the best of the opportunities the pageant offers her while juggling her studies and new career.<\/p>\n Other articles you may be interested in:<\/strong><\/p>\n Boikemisetso ready to tackle the pageant finals<\/a><\/p>\n