A Hanover Park girl has been crowned Miss Petite South Africa.
Eight-year-old Raheeqah Tieties scooped the title at the beauty pageant held in Joburg at the weekend.
But she’s not the only Hanover Park queen to make her mark – seasoned pageant winner Keegan “Apple” Croy, 14, was crowned second princess for Miss Petite Teen South Africa 2021, as well as Miss Petite Teen Globe South Africa 2021.
Raheeqah, a Grade 2 pupil at York Road Primary School, won Little Miss Western Province last year, and the top three contenders in their respective age categories were invited to enter the Miss and Mr Junior South Africa 2021 pageants, which has several subcategories such as Miss Petite SA.
Proud mom Aisha Tieties saystells the Daily Voice: “We decided to enter as we would have entered her only next year, but we chose to enter this year since they were invited as Western Province winners.
“During the year, Raheeqah had to do charity work as this competition is charity-based.
“Raheeqah also had to raise funds to purchase Dream dignity reusable sanitary pads, which were handed to girls so that they do not miss school and these sanitary pads last for five years if used correctly.”
The pageant was a four-day affair consisting of interviews, evening wear, casual wear as well as a superhero-theme competition.
The feisty meisie made a clean sweep and clinched awards for Best Ramp Model, Best Dressed in Evening Wear, Miss Photogenic, second runner-up for Face of Miss Petite South Africa 2021, the winner in the Miss Petite Universe 2021 and Overall Winner for Miss Petite South Africa 2021.
As these are international titles, she is eligible to represent SA in Turkey for the Miss Universe title next year.
But Aisha says they will need sponsors to compete internationally.
Raheeqah is hopeful that a sponsor will come forward, quoting her idol, Barbie: “You can be anything you want to be”, and that is what I want to show the children in our community of Hanover Park.”
Meanwhile Keegan, who is in Grade 9 at Mountview High, says she might not have won the title she wanted, but she knows there are greater things in store for her.
“I wasn’t sad that I didn’t win the title of Miss Petite Teen SA, because that just means it wasn’t my time. I am confident and will try again next year.”
venecia.america@inl.co.za