By OBAKENG MAJE
Dryharts-born beauty pageant, Akanyang Kalamore said, she is happy to be back and does what she loves the most. Kalamore (26) is one of the top ten Miss Heritage North West 2021 finalists and she is adamant that she will win the title come October.
“I am happy to be back in the fold after taking some time off from modelling. I regard myself as a phenomenal woman who has gain confidence and came out remarkably well out of all challenges I came across.
“I took some time off modelling after having a baby. However, I believe that I still have what it takes to continue with my modelling career. I saw a pamphlet that says there was a Miss Heritage North West 2021 competition and I entered. Now, here I am in the top ten,” she said.
Kalamore said modelling is not all about wearing a tiara or hold a title, but it comes with responsibilities. She said there are many challenges that are facing women and children that need to be addressed.
“We have many factors that affect women and children in our society. Many women are still subjected to patriarchy, inequality and mostly continue to rely heavily on their male counterparts for survival.
“On the other side, many girls and women suffer in silence after being abused either physically, sexually and emotionally. So, it is our responsibility as beauty pageants to bring back that confidence and address those challenges head-on. For example, we are celebrating women’s month, but many women continue to be victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV),” she said.
Kalamore who is now based in Vryburg embarked on charitable work in partnership with Amogelang Insurance Brokers recently. She said this was part of her social responsibility per competition requirements.
“I was given a task as a Top 10 finalist to do charity work. I was so grateful after Amogelang Insurance Brokers came on board without any hesitations. I thought of going to schools and give out sanitary pads to needy female learners, however, I knew that almost every contestant will think of that.
“So, I came up with a different approach by initiating feeding street survivors. Many street survivors are going through a lot, but it seems no one care,” said Kalamore.
She also encouraged young aspiring models to be responsible at all times. Kalamore who was inspired by Boingotlo Magabe to take her model career seriously said, “Now, only the sky is the limit” for her.
“Even though I have not found my niche in the modelling space yet, but I still believe that my time will come. I would be so grateful if one day I see myself on one of those billboards across the country and beyond,” she said.
Meanwhile, the founder of Miss Heritage North West, Onalenna Kole said: “The competition targets to empower, inspire and encourage young females with the objective of achieving their goals.
“They should be good examples and create role models for an upcoming generation while providing glamour, entertainment through high motivation. I also want to achieve taking the girl child out of the street and restore most of their self-confidence and implement self-belief in them.
“I want to encourage young women to remember that unity and humanity are the only priceless gifts one can ever share with one another.”










