THEY may have school, chores and hobbies just like every other teenager, but the rest of their time is spent in the spotlight at centre stage.
Though they are only teenagers, eight models from Sophisticates Models in Port Elizabeth have all been in the modelling game for years.
And their experience will be put to the ultimate test next month when they take to the stage at the Miss and Mr Junior South Africa.
Shanelle Minnie, Etienne Vermaak and Anneké Bushby, together with Kay-Leigh Kloppers, Shinique Gouws, Aviwe Gqokoma, Inam Gqobele and Ayambuka Ngoma, are all finalists for the pageant.
Shanelle, who started Grade 8 at Framesby High School this year, has been with the modelling school since 2014. According to her mother, Elzette Barnard, she also loves playing netball, singing, reading and dancing in her free time.
“She is a very loving, caring individual that is very helpful and always sees the best in others,” Barnard said.
Shanelle is doing charity work for “Piet se Bos” and she’s involved at Cuyler Old Age Home in Central. Among her accomplishments during her time on stage, are winning the East Cape Model Hunt in 2015 and 2016, obtaining her EP Colours for modelling in 2018 and 2019, ranking Top Model of the Year in her age category in 2016, and being named Face of Talent Africa 2019.
Barnard said Shanelle is also a proud Miss Petite Teen SA Finalist 2020.
“She believes she can make a difference in any little girl’s life by showing them that they to can be part of anything that their heart desires by just believing in themselves and having faith.”
Etienne (13), who previously attended St Marks Community School before being home-schooled from this year, also thoroughly enjoys walking the runway when he’s not playing his guitar or spending on coding and robotics.
“It (modelling) has helped me a lot with my confidence, especially with public speaking,” he said.
Just last year he won Mr Junior Top Model of the Year at Sophisticate Models’ Top Model of the Year competition, as well as Jnr Mr Greenacres, Jnr Mr Talent Africa, Jnr Mr Winter Look (held at Sophisticate Models) and Mr Jnr SA finalist.
“My charity that I do fundraising for is the SPCA in Uitenhage. I also help out at SAPS soup kitchen in Kuyga. If you can help with any donations of food, blankets for the animals or second-hand clothing, blankets, toiletries for the underprivileged you can contact me by email at lauriane.vermaak2@gmail.com or WhatsApp 074 735 4940.”
Etienne also has his own website at www.etiennevermaak.com.
Anneke, the oldest of the three at 17, is a maric learner at Framesby High School this year.
A model since the age of eight, Anneké is now also a qualified model teacher at Sophisticate Models.
According to her mother, Annalien, she used to be very shy before she started modelling, but she has blossomed in the process.
And after almost ten years’ experience, she has quite a few trophies and titles to her name.
In 2017 she was crowned Miss International Princess RSA in South Africa and Face of Talent Africa Snr 2018. In 2017 and 2018 she represented South Africa at International Princess and Talent America and in New York she won the overall beauty pageant.
The rest of her free time goes to being a dan-cer at Leanka Laubscher School of Dance where she is the senior champion in hip-hop.
The Association of Dance International Teachers invited her to the dance teachers’ bursary challenge in April 2020 at Roodepoort.
“She is actively involved in several community projects,” said Annalien. “She loves to work with children and after matric she is going to study for a Bachelor Degree in Education.”
For now, she is focused on preparing for Miss and Mr Junior South Africa where she will be participating in the 18–21 year age group.
Contestants are judged over five days in evening wear, casual wear, interviews and themed wear.
Miss and Mr Junior South Africa will take place in Pretoria from March 24 to 28.
