YOUNG Yonela Louw (15) is a true testimony to the fact that hard work does indeed pay off, especially when doing it from a young age.
This is after receiving more than one award after her last announcement to readers of Express Northern Cape about her auditions at the South African Championship of the Performing Arts that was hosted in Rustenburg earlier in April.
Yonela represented the Northern Cape so well that she won two bronze medals at the South African Championship of the Performing Arts for photographic and formal modelling.
This was after her trip had been made possible by the owner of Rio Lounge, McDonald “Khindo” Visser, who covered her travelling expenses.
In June, Yonela was scouted by Elsubie Verlinden, the regional director for the International Arts Talent Showcase, to display her modelling talent at the Silver Star Casino in Johannesburg on 7 and 8 October.
Born in the small town of De Aar, Yonela developed a passion for music, dance and modelling while growing up.
Among her achievements was also that of being crowned 1st Princess at the Miss Kimberley High Schools Beauty Pageant in May this year.
So far she has managed to juggle her responsibilities of being a model, a dancer and a student, and adhering to her regular photoshoots with Elani Rose of Reflective Photography to upgrade her portfolio.
In an effort to motivate and encourage her peers to maintain their self-confidence and stability, Yonela is in the process of lauching her own sanitary towels project for young girls throughout the province, to help disadvantaged communities.
“The project is in line with international projects to assist young girls from disadvantage communities who cannot afford sanitary towels. We will approach various sponsors soon,” she said proudly.
She will also be part of Circus: A night of fashion magic hosted by her agency, eModels Kimberley.
