A tiny beauty queen from Hanover Park is rolling up her sleeves as she works to expand her community projects in a bid to win a national pageant.
At just seven years of age, little Raheeqah Tieties has hosted stationery drives for sukkeling children in Hanover Park and is now appealing to Capetonians to help her with a blanket drive for homeless people this winter.
The girl, who lives in Soetwater Court, started modelling at just four years old and has already won various titles.
In October last year she was crowned Little Miss Western Province and is now preparing to take the stage at the Miss Junior Petite SA pageant later this year in Pretoria.
“I was happy when they gave me the crown. I knew I was going to win because I worked very hard,” she tells the Daily Voice.
Winning Miss Junior Petite SA will bring her one step closer to her dreams of being crowned Miss South Africa and becoming a doctor.
Raheeqah’s proud mom Aisha, 35, says: “She attends the Reana van Tonder Modelling School and each time she does a drive, she appeals to other models for help.
“She gathered enough donations for 60 stationery packs for children from Athwood, Blomvlei and Summit primary schools.”
Ahead of winter Raheeqah has launched a blanket drive for homeless people.
“She has already gathered 30 blankets and the plan is to get 150 blankets by June which she will hand it out to homeless people along with a cup of warm soup,” says Aisha.
Raheeqah says she is working hard to win the next pageant as she stands a chance to win over R300 000 which she wants to use to further her community projects.
“I want to change the world and make people happy,” says the little beauty.
Aisha, who sells cupcakes, says the family first has to raise R20 000 to cover the costs for her to compete.
“During the lockdown, I had to leave my job because my elderly mother became very ill and needed someone to care for her.
“We are a family of six but due to unforeseen circumstances, we took in my sister’s five children so all together with my mom, we are a family of 12.
“My husband Samuel lost his job during the lockdown and since then we have been working hard to gather the money for her because we believe in her dream.”
To assist Raheeqah, call her mom on 072 526 7275.