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26/08/2020
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Aug 26, 2020 | by Megan van den Heever
Former Miss South Africa is for women and is passionate about topics like gender equality, empowerment and speaking publically about what you believe in, in spite of criticism…
And that’s because she was raised by two strong women – her mother and grandmother, who’ve made her the person she is today.
The fearless and feisty Jacaranda FM presenter and media personality – who was also selected as a Miss SA 2020 round one pageant judge – is doing her bit and so much more this Women’s Month by fronting a number of campaigns on gender-based violence (GBV) and inspiring women to be the best version of themselves.
Liesl chatted to All4Women about being surrounded by powerful females, her tips to winning Miss SA 2020 as well as the motto all women need to live by…
Who are some of the inspirational women in your life?
Firstly my mom. She is a recovering drug addict who battled with the disease for many years. The main thing I learnt from her having struggling with that and having lost every single thing and person in her life is; no matter how far down you fall you can always get up, dust yourself off and start all over again.
It’s never too late. My mom went back to school in her 40’s and is now a qualified teacher, she changed her life and is an inspiration to other women around her.
The second woman is my grandmother, who is the most selfless woman I’ve ever met. She is a warm, nurturing and kind individual, and also very educated. Having the two women in my life impose such strong values in me.
Other women include former Miss South Africas – like Bokang Montjane – I get to work with and just being able to see them thrive and what they’ve done with their lives and also that they’re superwomen!
What are the qualities that make a woman strong?
A strong woman is one who survives, is someone who no matter how may times the script gets flipped on them makes it work. Even if there is great pain and sacrifice, they pull it off no matter what happens.
It’s also someone who is confident, productive and positive, especially in 2020! We live in a time and space where many people are so ready to break the next person down, be mean and disrespectful….and I think someone who is positive and kind screams power and influence to me
Also a woman who is true to herself – I love a woman who says ‘This is who I am, and if you like it, it’s ok and if you don’t, it’s still who I am and I am not changing’.
It’s a woman who is not afraid to stand up for what they believe in, no matter what…and a woman who is also self-sufficient, she can do it all by herself if she needs to and wants to.
How are pageants like Miss SA empowering young women in modern times?
It’s giving young women a platform where they get to voice their opinions that need to have light shed on them.
A perfect example is Zozibini Tunzi, she spoke about the inequality and misrepresentation of women of colour or women that don’t necessarily fit a mould created by media or years of conditioning
Pageants are there to create more spaces where voices can be heard on different levels and to fall on different ears as well.
In light of today’s tough climate with Covid- 19, GBV and femicide – What are some of the qualities do you think Miss SA 2020 should have?
It’s very important to be self-aware and to understand what is happening in and around your country, to be proudly South African – for the joys of it all, and also understanding the struggles of our country and knowing what we need to focus and work on.
Someone who is confident, who is productive, who is a go-getter, who will stand up for what they believe in.
Someone who understands that a woman isn’t perfect, that’s no mould that we’re all suppose to fit in.
Most importantly it’s someone who can be compassionate and kind, no matter where they go. That’s the legacy that I also strive to leave behind.
What message would you tell your younger self and other young impressionable girls about the value they place on themselves?
The most important lessons I learnt from my grandmother was telling me I am the daughter of a king, and that my voice is very important, no matter what relationship I’m in – whether a friendship or a relationship with a man
If you ever feel like you am not being heard, if your opinion doesn’t matter or you are being put down, you should walk away
The value of your voice, your opinions and your choices are of the utmost importance.
What is your message for Women’s Month?
Women should continue being for women, it’s a beautiful thing! This is something our younger generation need to see from us.
Also that we continue shouting and screaming when it comes to having our voices heard n GBV and femicide in South Africa.
We stand for what we believe in and we can be just as strong as the women of 1956, who fought for what we have today. We should stand on their shoulders and continue fighting the good fight.
We also need to rope in the men in our lives to make sure that they are doing the same and that they have an understanding of a South African woman.
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