The Miss Free State finalists were announced at Warm Karoo and The Kitchen on 21 February 2018. It was a spectacular evening, with live entertainment and heart-warming food where the beautiful entrants of this competition definitely didn’t disappoint.
According to Yolande Koupis and Anri Powell, the directors of Miss Free State, the Miss Free State SA Organisation is a registered, self-funded, non-profit organisation that aims to empower young women by creating a platform from where they are introduced to various opportunities for self-growth and community upliftment. The pageant supports the ideals and attributes of an intellectual woman – a woman who has strong morals and is a goal setter, a woman who plays a role within her community. These ideals are emphasised by the associated charitable causes which largely benefit from Miss Free State’s patronage.
The success of the Miss Free State SA pageant lies in the inspiring management of well-known businesswomen and owners of the pageant, Koupis and Powell, who are actively involved throughout the whole pageant.
Their focus and commitment is the empowerment of a new generation of young women, inspiring them to leave a legacy.
The first project for the finalists was an entrepreneurial project where they had to collect money in a unique business-driven manner. Twenty percent of this money goes back to a charity of their choice. Further projects they are going to approach is a “Paint Activation” in which they, along with the Miss Free State Teen Finalists, are going to paint the Pelonomi Childcare Unit with colourful pictures. During Easter a project of their own charity initiative will also take place.
Miss Free State is a non-profit organisation, therefore Powell and Koupis expect that the girls will gain sponsors who will support the pageant. The girls will also obtain additional sponsors throughout the pageant for the 5 charities chosen by the finalists.
Powell and Koupis are very proud of each lady. ”We would like to congratulate each lady who has been chosen as a finalist. We are looking forward to walking the path with you and to see you grow. We are impressed with the ladies and also very excited to see how the girls will take Miss Free State to higher heights. It is a very strong and diverse group and we hope that we as a unit can make a difference in the community.”
ZILKE PRINSLOO
