Afrika Tikkun hosts its first pageant
This historic event honoured the skill, strength, and self-expression of 20 youngsters with disabilities, providing a compelling counter-narrative to stigma and silence. The 20 candidates, comprising 10 boys and 10 girls, shared the stage, displaying their bravery and beauty in front of an audience that screamed for them and the judges.
Lona Roy of the organisation explained that at first, she didn't understand the pageant idea when one of her staff members approached her.
'I couldn't understand until she sent me a concept note of why it was so important. These young people never get the chance to shine; they never get to be in the limelight. People look at them and they say, oh shame, but no one looks at them in the sense of how empowered and how talented they are.'
Also read: Blind runner Louzanne Coetzee encourages others with disabilities to be active
The pageant allowed the participants to be just like everyone else, to be beautiful and talented.
Roy said that this wasn't about beauty as in the outer appearance, but about ability, and to show people how important it is to acknowledge everyone in society.
She added that the event was more than a success. 'This was our first, and we didn't know what would come out of today. But I was blown away. The confidence, the smiles on their face when they walked out, I was so proud.
'I could have cried through the whole event, but it was one of those days that we're just so proud of our young people and our candidates with disabilities,' said Roy.
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