The Face of SUTRA Pageant 2012, “Women Empowerment through the Catwalk” Winners
The Face of SUTRA™ Pageant 2012, “Women Empowerment through the Catwalk™” Winners (a non-profit initiative)
Twenty Women-owned small businesses from around South Africa are the key beneficiaries
The 4th annual Face of SUTRA™ Pageant 2012, took place at the opulent Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City Casino, in Johannesburg on 28 July 2012. The Face of SUTRA is the flagship Women Empowerment initiative by SUTRA™ Magazine, that creates development and empowerment opportunities’ for previously undiscovered talent, in Southern Africa. As the main prize, the winner, Sarah Lee Bensingh becomes the international cover model with SUTRA™ (August 2012 issue), and its brand ambassador, for a year.
In the tightly contested event, the rest of the winners were:
The other winners were:
1st Princess: Pranya Naidoo, Durban
2nd Princess: Ramona Hurdayal, Cape Town
3rd Princess: Trimira Maharaj, Ladysmith
4th Princess: Jenelle Joanne Ramsami, Durban (hearing impaired)
Key VVIP’s in attendance were the High Commissioner of India, Mr Virendra Gupta and his wife Mrs Gupta; the Director General of the Ministry of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Dr N. Mkhize, and Mr Nirdesh Bhikshu, Deputy Director General in The Private Office of the Minister of Correctional Services. Dr Mkhize and Mr Bhikshu were both in the panel of judges.
Most women believe that they either don’t have what it takes to be a cover model, and brand ambassador, or they have been focussed first on their careers and/or families. Industry traditionally doesn’t prefer models/brand ambassadors who are married, career orientated in other careers or in their late twenties.
The team at SUTRA™ Magazine believes otherwise. They strongly support and encourage women who are both career orientated as well as family women, married or not. They strong believe that a women with the right priorities, have what it takes to be a successful brand ambassador as well as a media professional.
“It’s only through providing opportunities to the young women (18-30) in South Africa, that we can help each of them, and our society grow. There is no value in motivating women to be responsible professionals and family people, when no opportunities are provided. Most industries provide limited access to people, who are willing to work hard, and potentially have great talent. It also doesn’t make sense to join those who echo these sentiments, but do nothing about it…therefore SUTRA™ is promoting ‘Women Empowerment through the Catwalk™’ ”, said Sherita Kommal, the MD of SUTRA™ Magazine, and the Face of SUTRA™ Pageant Director.
As a deviation from the typical pageant model , the Face of SUTRA™ did not have a bikini section, nor did it focus on participant driven sponsorships, as has become the norm in many pageants in SA. The event is solely driven by sponsors and SUTRA™ Magazine.
The key beneficiaries of the Face of SUTRA™ 2012, are Twenty Women-owned small businesses from around South Africa. The aim of the initiative has been to have each contestant to utilise their resources, as well as those of SUTRA™ to help improve one business in their own community. The intention of having a business from each community benefit is to leave a sustainable and measureable impact in each community around South Africa.
The contributions of each contestant to their community business, were as a part of the final scoring for the Face of SUTRA™ 2012. Each business and their improvements was also be showcased at the event.
Images credit/copyright: SUTRA™ Magazine/ www.shootsonline.com
