Wagner-Meyer, who lives with a congenital neural tube defect that has resulted in an unusual body shape, is vying for a seat in Miss South Africa.
Her spine is severely curved, and she has limited mobility in her legs, requiring crutches to walk. Despite her disability, she has entered this year’s Miss South Africa competition.
When asked why she entered the competition, the East London-born fashion designer and model said that it was her able-bodied twin sister Emma who planted the seed, saying: “Well, I think you should enter. I think you could win. Just give it a shot.”
Wagner-Meyer entered the competition for the first time in 2022.
“I had considered it during Zozi Tunzi’s year because I was inspired by the change that she was able to create,” she says.
“So the idea had been sitting there. I really needed that bit of validation from my family. As long as my family supports me, I always go out to chase whatever desire I have.”
This is her third time entering the competition.
“The whole idea of representation and inclusion on platforms like these is so important to shatter stereotypes. That’s what drives me,” says the model.
“I am someone who is incredibly determined. I don’t give up on any of my goals very easily. I simply want the opportunity to show them what I am capable of.
“I’m more than just a ‘pretty face’. And I should be taken as seriously as other participants. I shouldn’t be excluded just because of my unique abilities.”
When it comes to inclusivity in the fashion and beauty industry, she says that people with disabilities in this country have very little opportunities.
“We don’t have them fall into our laps, we have to quite literally go out and grab them or create them ourselves.”
She added that it is affecting her both mentally and physically.
“It’s not an easy road and there needs to be support and validation that we deserve to be in these spaces too. That’s what this platform will do. It’s the classic ‘if I can do it, so can you!’.
“We simply need to feel like there is space for us, that’s what representation is. It’s validating that you’re here and deserve to be.”
Wagner-Meyer says that if she were to win the Miss South Africa title she would use the platform to create opportunities to empower and uplift communities by equipping them with the necessary skills to pursue entrepreneurship objectives.
“A key part of entrepreneurship is confidence. Once women feel confident in themselves, their ideas, and their overall abilities, they can create wonderful things.
“You have the power to decide who you want to be and what you want to achieve in this lifetime. Never, ever let anyone tell you otherwise!”
In her Miss SA competition video submission, she says: “Miss South Africa is not a look. It’s a purpose. It’s a cause. But most importantly it’s an attitude.”
Over the past few years, the Miss South Africa competition has been moving toward being a more inclusive pageant.
In 2023, they announced that married women and those with children were allowed to enter the competition.
There are also no height or weight specifications or requirements.
The age limit has also been modified, allowing applicants to turn 30 within their year of reign.
In 2021, Lehlogonolo Machaba became the first transgender woman to enter the competition and make it to the top 30.
This year entrants were required to post their entry video on social media.
Here is Wagner-Meyer’s entry video.
@agentoflaughter
Source IOL News
