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Determined to help boost the confidence of young people in the Oyster Bay community, and give them a platform to be heard, Jesmine Lodewyk recently established her own modelling academy, and plans to host her first modelling competition, Mr and Miss Spring, on September 1 at the Oyster Bay Community Hall.
Modelling from the age of five-years-old at competitions hosted by her mother, Flora, Lodewyk has always been passionate about modelling and wanted to share this with young people from her community, where many felt that there was nothing and no one to look up to, that their voices were not being heard, and were unappreciated.
Following in her mother’s footsteps, she began hosting modelling shows in 2019, but it was only in June this year that she established her own modelling academy, Oyster Bay Modelling Academy, where children as young as three are encouraged to join.
“I have a passion for modelling and absolutely love it. For this reason I decided to bring modelling to the community of Oyster Bay,” said Lodewyk.
“I thought that starting my own modelling academy might be the perfect opportunity for young people to feel more comfortable within themselves, to make sure that their voices are being heard, and offer them the opportunity to be the centre of attention during modelling shows.”
Since opening her academy two months ago, Lodewyk said that a total of 46 children and young adults have joined.
She said that they currently do not have a centre of their own, and have been using Sandwater Primary School’s classrooms and the paving outside to practise their walking.
Furthermore, Lodewyk said that they would be using the Oyster Bay Community Hall for their various programmes and events, with their first event, Mr and Miss Spring, taking place on September 1.
As part of their Spring theme, she said that the event will offer the community a modelling show filled with all things related to the season.
“Similar to how we have different seasons in our life which only lasts for a short period of time, our modelling show will provide a snippet of one specific season,” said Lodewyk.
She further said that the event will offer great entertainment and show-stopping performances by young people who are intent on doing better in life, and are focused on building their self-esteem.
The show will start at 17:00 and the entrance fee is R20 for adults, R10 for children over 8, and R5 for children under 8.
Looking to the future, she said that her hope for the academy is that the young people in her community will be given the opportunity to explore and make a difference.
“I want the children to show people who have lost hope that they can become whoever they want to be, and to show them that you do not have to be a certain age, gender, or race to achieve something in life. Most importantly I want the children to enjoy what they do,” said Lodewyk.
For more information contact Jesmine Lodewyk on 071 317 4587 or visit her Facebook page Jesmine Zenodine Lodewyk.
