Seven-year-old Tamlynne Cornberg, from Rondevlei, has been working in her community and striking poses in contests, in the hope that an upcoming interview will land her the chance of representing South Africa at Little Miss Universe next year.
She is one of 16 finalists in the seven- to eight-year category of the Miss Toddler and Tween World – South Africa pageant, who will be handing in a portfolio of work done in their communities over the past six months. About 90 finalists will be competing for 172 titles but the overall winner will be competing in Little Miss Universe 2017.
Tamlynne donated drinks and party packs to, and visited Habibia Children’s Home, in Rylands, in March; she helped raise awareness about World Autism Awareness Day in April; hosted a Miss Snow Queen fundraiser in May; donated books and toys to children patients at Mitchell’s Plain District Hospital, in Lentegeur, in June; on Nelson Mandela Day, she fed people at Kleinmond; and collected and donated winter garb to Woodlands Haven Shelter residents in August.
Her good deeds continue as she takes a Santa Shoebox, for an underprivileged child in Klerksdorp, North West, where the contest takes place tomorrow, Thursday September 1.
She has to decorate and fill the shoe box with gifts, as well as toothpaste, a toothbrush, soap, a wash cloth, clothing, education supplies, sweets and a toy. She also needs to take canned food for a local charity.
Tamlynne has won several pageants before, including Tiny Miss Cape Town last year, Miss Primary School – Grade 1, and Miss Valentine at Mitchell’s Plain Primary School earlier this year.
“I enjoy modelling on the stage,” she said.
“I don’t like it when I lose but I’ll still be happy for the other children (who won).”
Her mom, Dorelle Cornberg, said all the pageants keep Tamlynne busy.
“It is very good for her confidence, she enjoys the modelling, often wins Miss Personality and enjoys meeting the other girls,” she said.
Tamlynn has a brother, Caleb Christian, aged 13, and a sister named Zoey, 3, who is following in her footsteps.
Zoey won Cute Missy Wildlife Queen Western Cape 2016, at Klein Akker settlement just outside Kraaifontein.
Ms Cornberg said: “I am very proud of her (Tamlynne)”.
“I’m looking forward to her achieving her goals and excited about the competition,” she said.
Ms Cornberg thanked Tamlynne’s coaches at Modelling Studio, her mother Jenny Christian, family and friends for their support.
Pageant director Bonita van der Westhuizen said there are 15 contestants in each category and judges will be judging them according their portfolios, interviews, evening and casual wear.
The pageant was started in 2013 and this year for the first time models from Namibia will be included.
“The pageant empowers girls and boys to grow and develop a positive self image.
“They will build confidence and develop basic skills that lead to success in different environments,” she said.
* The public has until midnight to vote by texting TTWORLD 99 to 47439. SMSes costs R3 each.