I am 21-year-old Shanice Radhalal from Gauteng. I am your current reigning International Junior Miss South Africa 2022–2023. I’m in my final year of study at the University of the Witwatersrand where I am completing a double major in computer science and economics. I believe in the power and potential that education has to offer for a more sustainable future, this is what IJMSA stands for: “offering a unique blend of beauty with brains to the world of pageantry through the crown of opportunities.”

I believe that it is vital for young models to become involved in charity work, thereby growing them not just as individuals but as ambassadors of transformation. I have always believed in the power of being kind and compassionate; it is the foundation and essence of who I am. I have met different people from different walks of life, and they have broadened my knowledge and allowed me to gain perspective. Giving back to the community brings joy and encourages a sense of unity and togetherness for everyone involved, and in it I found my purpose.

I want to be the representation that young women facing adversity seek by taking up space and creating our own opportunities. I want to pass the baton from one woman to the next, for them to know that if I can, they can. I want to encourage women to be themselves and never let any circumstance determine their future. I believe that “There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise” (Dorothy Dandridge).

My dream is to facilitate change in the lives of both people and animals. I believe wholeheartedly in the quote “I am what I choose to become”—encompassing my commitment to my personal improvement, fighting the cause of cruelty to animals, and uplifting the lives of the community. There is potential for change to flourish where there is passion, perseverance, and patience. Care for nature, the environment, and all its inhabitants teaches us these three crucial character traits. Advocacy knows no age or limitations. And at the age of six, I decided to become a vegetarian to advocate for animal welfare, which has inspired many family members and friends to follow suit. I want everyone to know that even a single act of kindness has the capacity to create a chain reaction.

 At IJMSA, I want to leave behind a legacy of informing, reforming, and finally transforming