A pageant of a different kind was held in Mdantsane on Thursday when 35 elderly women took to the stage in colourful Xhosa attire.
The majority of women who took part in the Miss Real View Foundation 2018 show were in their 70s, with only six of the participants in their 40s.
Event organiser Bulelani Fowl said the idea was to create a positive and active attitude towards ageing.
“Some of our grannies have never been a part of these so we wanted them to feel special and valued and to let them have something that they can be actively part of.”
Most of the women are part of Fowls Real View Foundation, a centre that caters for the elderly and children in the area.
“We cook and feed them three times a day from Monday to Friday.
“We need to honour our grannies because there is a lot they have done for us and they need to know there is still more that they can do. Children need to be taught to respect the elderly and not ill-treat them.”Fowl said after hosting a June 16 event, he realised that the elderly are often only invited to events where they have to sit and listen to long speeches.
“I wanted to do something that they would also be able to participate in instead of just being on the sidelines.”
Nomplani Makeleni, 76-year-old grandmother of three kitted out in an orange traditional dress, said the day reminded her of her wedding day in 1962.
“It’s great to have young people coming up with these ideas to help us experience things that we always thought were only for certain women.
“This reminds me of when I got married to my late husband. I looked this beautiful.
“We feel honoured to be able to showcase our clothing so the next generation can be able to learn and see how beautiful and proud we are of our traditional clothing.”
She said the country had come a long way in fighting for the rights of women.
“Back in the olden days, we never used to voice out issues of abuses in the home.
“Our husbands would beat us and all we could do was to endure that pain.
“Things are better now because women can speak out against abusive partners.
“We did not go to school so we rejoice to see our daughters getting equal education as men.”
Zoleka Zola, 77, said the event would help promote self-esteem among older women.
“I am wearing my favourite dress. I feel like a young princess. Women will always be beautiful, regardless of their age.”
The crowd was entertained by the Youth With A Mission. There were 12 winners in four categories, with each winning a trophy and a R250 grocery voucher...