Local finalist for "Mrs Grand South Africa" title

The search is on for the next Mrs GRAND South Africa! Karen Landman, long-term teacher and owner of Simply Models, ModellingAcademyfrom Ballito, KZN, has been selected as a finalist in this year's competition.

The Pageant, now in its second year, aims to empower women with the knowledge to inspire and motivate other women and to bring sustainable change in the country.

For 2017, the Pageant has adopted Reinhardt Drewel SA as their official cause. RDF SA is the first of its kind in South Africa. Their mission is to raise awareness of drowning risk, and to provide aid to non-fatal drowning victims.

The winner will represent South Africa at the Mrs Universal and Mrs Universe Elegance pageants in 2018. The Grand Finale will take place at The Roodepoort Theatre on 15th of June 2017.

Karen is happily married to Paul Landman, and has been for23 years. They have three children, Franco (21), Christiaan (19) Melissa (14).

Karen has been involved in the teaching industry for the past 21 years, she studied teaching and is currently a full time teacher at Northlands Girl's High in Durban North.

Karen is also the owner of Simply Models, a Modelling Academy that not only focusses on outer beauty, but in developing the students as a "whole", from inner beauty, confidence, posture and poise to public speaking and giving the students opportunities such as taking part in Fashion Shows, Castings, Photo shoots and much more.

Karen believes in bringing out the best in each person and strives to always keep a positive attitude. Karen also believes in leading through example. "Because I am working with the Youth on a daily basis, I feel it is important to show them how to believe in themselves and to stay positive"

By taking part in this competition, Karen hopes to show other ladies that you can achieve your dreams at any age: Karen has gone through a life changing journey when moving to the North Coast and leaving her businesses in Gauteng behind over eight years ago. When you have everything, and then have to start over, it changes you... But I wanted to stay true to myself and decided to become the best version of myself, not to "become bitter, but to become Better"

"I believe that we as woman need to stand together, we need to lift each other up, we need to guide each other, love each other. This is what I am teaching my students, not only at school, but also at my modelling academy. We can all make a difference, we need to believe in ourselves and bring out the best in others to help them believe in themselves as well." Concluded Karen.