Avashni Reddy sets her sights on the Miss World South Africa crown
Some of the life-changing projects she has been involved in, include, but are not limited to: contributing to the construction of an orphanage, participating in an empowering outreach programme in Mozambique, delivering Christmas cheer to general workers at a primary school, supporting animal welfare and reaching out to the SPCA, and hosting programmes that empower young children and adults.
Twenty-six-year-old Avashni Reddy best describes her journey in the prestigious and empowering Miss World South Africa pageant as an extraordinary voyage of transformation across every aspect of her life, and as a semi-finalist for this year’s event, she aims to redefine beauty through the impact that ordinary citizens make in the world.
Currently residing in the captivating city of Tshwane in Gauteng, as a proud South African with a South African Indian heritage, she strives to live a life of purpose.
The young intellectual beauty, whose hobbies include calligraphy, spending quality time with her fur babies, martial arts, and travelling, wants to be a catalyst for change and judging from her immense achievements thus far, is already proving to be one.
She told the Rising Sun more about why she has chosen to participate in Miss World South Africa 2023.
“My decision to embark on this journey was deeply rooted in the bedrock principles that underpin MWSA- the concept of ‘beauty with a purpose.’ This ethos has burned brightly within me since my childhood years. As I walk this path, I am coming to realise the depth of my preparation and how it harmonises with the very core of my being. This journey has allowed me to tune into the true nature of my heart, grasp the essence of my womanhood, and envision the woman I aspire to become. From the varied group of people from different backgrounds around me, I’ve witnessed a world resonating with kindness and support. Each step I take, each connection I make, adds another layer to the transformation that this journey has fostered within me. And as I stand at this juncture, I’m not just a participant- I am an embodiment of the change I seek in the world,” she passionately enthused.
She explained more about the judging process, stating that the MWSA team is currently conducting in-depth judging on the semi-finalists which will then be cut down to 18 finalists, who will compete for the Miss World South African crown.
The winner will represent South Africa at the international Miss World pageant that is scheduled to be held on December 9, 2023, in India.
With her eyes set firmly on the crown, she was eager to share more about what her plans were should she win the pageant.
“Just like the beauty industry has evolved to embrace diversity and promote self-expression, I aspire to use my platform to inspire and ignite change in various aspects of our world. I am a strong believer in the power of education, and I plan to lead an initiative that is called ‘The Light in One’s Eyes’. This symbolises the dreams and aspirations of all individuals focusing primarily on the youth. This initiative will use education as a transformative tool, to expose, mentor and empower the youth to provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge to take their dreams and turn them into tangible accomplishments, she continued.
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Believing that even the smallest acts of kindness can leave behind large imprints of love, Reddy finds great joy in involving herself in charitable work and initiatives.
This, she says, is something she holds near and dear to her heart.
Some of the life-changing projects she has been involved in, include, but are not limited to: contributing to the construction of an orphanage, participating in an empowering outreach programme in Mozambique, delivering Christmas cheer to general workers at a primary school, supporting animal welfare and reaching out to the SPCA, and hosting programmes that empower young children and adults.
In a country that is plagued by gender-based violence, Reddy has experienced first-hand how the principles of self-defence and empowerment can be intertwined with the mission of breaking the silence against GBV.
She said, “My karate journey has taught me the importance of inner strength, discipline, and self-confidence. Beauty pageants provide an invaluable platform to bring this issue to the forefront and shatter the silence that perpetuates it. By sharing my karate journey and allowing the platform to amplify my voice, I can inspire other women to find their own paths to empowerment. I encourage women to rise above societal norms that perpetuate silence and fear around GBV. Through my story, I hope to ignite a sense of agency within women, reminding them that they too possess the strength to confront and conquer adversity.”
Her golden nugget of advice to women is to always believe in themselves.
“We all see the glass ceiling above us, so now it is time to break through it and follow our dreams and aspirations. As women, we are the true architects of a better tomorrow, we just need to believe it,” she shared.
To show your support towards this inspirational young beauty, take note of the following social media platforms:
- Instagram- @missworldsouthafrica and @avashnireddy
- Facebook- Miss World South Africa
“Currently, there are no voting lines. However, simply sharing kind words of encouragement or liking and sharing my journey on social media will fill my heart with gratitude,” she concluded.
