INVOLVED: Down to Earth

NATURE

Words: Julia Gramkow | Photos: Various Photographers

Sitting with some children at a Durban children’s home.

earth Down to

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Beach clean up.

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All will be revealed on Saturday, 17 August 2013, when we find out which one of the 15 national finalists will be crowned this year's Miss Earth South Africa, at the Final Gala event to be held at Monte Casino in Johannesburg.

But this is no ordinary beauty pageant; it is a pageant with a green cause!

Miss Earth South Africa is a leadership programme focused on greening the hearts and minds of young South African women, and empowers them to be more active in raising awareness of environmental issues through various projects. It was first initiated in 2003, when Catherine Constantinides, the first to carry the title of Miss Earth South Africa, realised that there was an ever-increasing social divide in South Africa that could only be addressed by the implementation of a sustainable empowerment programme with a dual focus – that of people and planet. The call-to-action by Miss Earth SA and their partners is to create the awareness needed to get the Green Revolution into action in communities around South Africa.

Last year was a big year for the Miss Earth South Africa organisation when it celebrated a decade of environmental advocacy by planting its 20,000th tree in Diepsloot. This year, the organisation launched its Make Every Day an Earth Day campaign, to inspire people to stop talking about going green and actively engage in it by remembering the four Rs in all they do; reduce, reuse, recycle, and respect, for people and planet. The organisation also encourages the public to participate in MeatFree Monday, buy locally produced items and in-season produce, and, wherever possible, opt for organic and fair trade options. Simple acts can benefit the environment in a big way, if everyone actively participates.

At the end of June, the Miss Earth SA finalists spent a week together and took part in numerous projects within different communities in Cape Town and Johannesburg, which included volunteer work with NGOs and NPOs, such as SANCCOB, and planting trees at schools and crèches. The last day was spent at Solwazi School in Orange Farm, where they planted 95 trees of hope and love as a tribute to Nelson Mandela.

DO IT NOW Magazine spoke to Julia Gramkow, a Miss Earth SA finalist, to find out what drives her to dedicate her time, passion, and energy to raising awareness of the many environmental issues that confront us today, and which projects she is involved in.

Q:

What made you decide to enter Miss Earth SA?

From a young age, I have had this overwhelming passion to give to others less fortunate than myself. Living in South Africa, there are so many opportunities and ways to make a difference. On this journey I have learnt that giving to the environment will in turn give to the people and that has truly inspired me.

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Q:

In your opinion, what does it take to be Miss Earth SA? What specific characteristics should one have?

I believe the winner of Miss Earth SA should be eager to learn, eager to help wherever she can, and willing to give 100% of her heart and time. I believe Miss Earth SA deserves all the time and effort you could possibly give as a winner. If your heart is in the competition for the right reasons, you are a winner already. I must add that every lady I've met that's been selected as a Miss Earth SA finalist has true and beautiful qualities and I think each one of us is as worthy as the next.

Q:

hat drives you to increase W awareness of environmental issues?

I have always believed that giving and helping others is more of a reward than anything else in this world. The reward I get from helping others less fortunate than myself and making a small difference is something I never want to lose.

Q:

Tell us about the projects you are involved in?

I have been involved in numerous projects, mainly based in KZN, including the Pietermaritzburg Children’s Home, Durban Children’s Home, and St Thomas’ Home for Children. I've also given educational talks to numerous rural high schools and primary schools about the importance of recycling and sustaining our environment, as well as presented on energy saving initiatives and preserving our fragile resources. I've facilitated the planting of trees at primary schools, crèches and homes. I have been a part of clean-ups in schools and communities, as well as on our beaches in Durban. I've been involved in the revamp of a number of homes, done volunteer work at organisations such as Phoenix Child Welfare in Durban, delivered non-perishable foods, and arranged the sponsorship of 2,000 vegetable seedlings and five trees for a crèche located just outside Howick.

For Mandela Day, I took children from a crèche on an outing to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site and visited the Apartheid Museum, so the children could learn more about our beautiful country and the journey we've been on. It was an enriching experience and I am honoured to be a part of their first visit.

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Planting trees at a children's creche.

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Planting more than 3,000 vegetable seedlings for food security.

Q:

Why do you think it's so important for young people to get involved in green issues / helping others?

I believe that the sooner we all get involved, despite our age, the better. At the moment, we have the opportunity to change the world around us. I may speak for myself, but I would hate to have to tell the younger generation that when we had the chance to improve, we didn’t take it. We all have the power to change the problems our environment and communities are faced with.

It is vital that we do not let this slide, as we are creating the future for our children. I think the main problem that the younger generation has is that we live for the moment. We cannot do that with regards to our environment and communities because if we continue with this mindset, it will be extremely damaging in the future.

Q:

What are you planning to do if you win the Miss Earth SA title?

The current Miss Earth SA, Tamerin Jardine, focused her year of reign on animals, as this is her passion. I am passionate about our people in South Africa and believe we have so much to offer, and if given the correct resources and guidance, we can change the negatives to positive. So, I would like to focus my year on community work and working with people, especially children, which are less fortunate than me.

I would also dedicate my entire year to Miss Earth SA, as I believe that this great organisation deserves nothing less than all your heart and time. I would put my studies on hold and be willing to move to Johannesburg, where the main Earth office is located. I think that being in the same province as the head office would guarantee a successful year of being Miss Earth SA. Finally, I would like to get my own NPO up and running and raise awareness of current issues within communities, as well as work with and raise funds for crèches around SA. I believe that education, starting at preschool level, is the grounding for greatness. I hope to make a difference in this area one day.

Q:

Will these plans change if you don't manage to claim this title?

No, they wouldn’t change. The passion I have for helping others and being a part of something much bigger than myself is something I will never lose. I will also continue with my NPO, which I started a few months ago and put on the back burner so that I could dedicate all my time and effort to Miss Earth SA. However, I would continue my studies, so I won't be able to give as much time as I would if I did claim this title.

Q:

What would your advice be to young ladies who aspire to be in your position one day?

If your intentions are real, I say go for it. Don’t sit back and watch the world pass you by, take that leap of courage that we are often so scared to take, because I promise you, whether you make it to the top or not, you are a winner. •

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