After walking on an international stage and representing South Africa in Tanzania, Megan Holmes was crowned Ms. Deaf International 2022 in Dar es Salaam, on October 30th,2022.
The former Ms Deaf South Africa 2021 from Cape Town beat contestants from countries including Botswana, Senegal, India, Rwanda, North Korea, Tanzania and Australia.
Megan ,during her address at the pageant said that the competition wasn’t so easy and it took so much devotion for it to be a success.
“It took a lot of stamina, motivation and passion to keep going as it’s not easy competing against contestants from various countries.There is no word I can describe the way I feel. But I know that I made my country proud,” she said.
Holmes stated that she is unwavering as she continues to create deaf awareness and also bridge the communication gap between the deaf and hearing communities.
She added that the event was one of the most exceptional achievements that she has ever made.
“Not only am I proud of myself, but I also made my country, called a rainbow nation, proud. They were behind me and I couldn’t have pulled this off without my fellow South Africans. My mom and daughter are my biggest supporters and keep me going.”Megan said.
The 35-year-old beauty further said that taking part in Miss and Mr. Deaf International 2022 accorded her an opportunity to meet confident deaf beauties from all over the world and to learn about their cultures.
”It was a beautiful and interesting experience for me to learn their perspectives and majority are signers, communicating conversationally with people who are deaf or hard of hearing.”
The Chief Executive Officer of MDSA,Janice Davies Jonker, who encouraged Holmes to participate on the international stage, said it was not surprising that the beauty was crowned Ms Deaf International.
She said that through Holmes’s commitment and dedication, she knew that she had a good chance and believed that she could bring the title.
Holmes ,who also won the title for the best cultural attire is the first MDSA queen to be crowned winner on the international stage, as Tracy Duncan was second princess at the 2019 Miss and Mr Deaf International pageant held in Russia
“I won another notch on my belt for best cultural attire. This was my proudest moment because I left foreigners in awe who admired my cultural outfit, designed by Francisco Costa Ayres Barreto, a deaf designer from Johannesburg. He has owned Barreto Bridalwear Designer since 2006,” Megan explained.
According to her mother, Carmel Holmes, having a child with an ability taught her to be more patient. She said that the best she could give her daughter was love and support so that her daughter wouldn’t stop believing in herself.
BY STACY ODHIAMBO