The first-ever Miss Wheelchair South Africa competition took place on Thursday, 2 December 2021, at the Artscape in Cape Town. Tamelyn Geneview Bock is the official winner and will represent South Africa at Miss Wheelchair World in Mexico in October 2022.
The aim of the event is to create an awareness around ‘Beauty without Barriers’ and changing the perception, narrative, and image of women with disabilities in South Africa.
Tamelyn was shocked to hear her name announced, but she is ready to take on the journey to remove barriers facing people with disabilities. She is overjoyed to be the voice for Miss Wheelchair South Africa. One of her favourite quotes from Misty Copeland perfectly reflects her journey at the competition: “Start unknown and finish unforgettably.”
The favourite quote by Mahatma Gandhi is her inspiration for this new journey as Miss Wheelchair South Africa: “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Along with her title, Tamelyn was also awarded a new wheelchair by CE Mobility worth R45 000, a cushion worth R11 000 from Solutions medical, a tablet and smartphone from Vodacom, and life coaching lessons from the Professional and Personal Institute of Excellence.
The runner-up (first princess) was Nokuthula Yonke and Maureen Galaletsang Mokgele was crowned the second princess.
The event was organised by Lebohang Monyatsi, First Princess of the Miss Wheelchair Worlds, and Shama Nathoo, founding member of Universal Accessible Hub. With no budget, the duo used sheer determination to ensure the event can take place so that South Africa can be represented at the Miss Wheelchair World competition.
Shama notes: “We give thanks to everyone who came onboard in the shared vision that beauty has no limits. Miss Wheelchair South Africa was no ordinary event. It represented inclusion of all abilities from the master of ceremony to performers and judges.
“The Artscape Theatre played an important role in showcasing accessibility by hosting the crowning of Miss Wheelchair South Africa. We look forward and invite new partnerships to showcase inclusion and become a part of the journey in the preparation for Miss Wheelchair 2022.”
We wish Tamelyn all the best in her ventures in 2022.
