Jerry Makananise, a 21-year-old psychology student, is one of 10 finalists for Miss Makhado Royal 2022. The pageant takes place in December this year at Kone Village. Jerry was born and raised in Louis Trichardt and attended both Laerskool and Hoërskool Louis Trichardt.
"People always told me to model and participate in pageants. I was never interested until one night in December 2018. I couldn't sleep and watched the Miss Universe pageant. The then Miss South Africa, Tamaryn Green, talked about the overcoming of tuberculosis - something that she wanted to hide when diagnosed. I was inspired by the way she represented South Africa – I then decided to participate in pageants," Jerry says.
The first time Jerry took part was in the "Princess Pageant" in Port Elizabeth in 2019. She was then a first-year student at the Nelson Mandela University. She ended in the top five. Many other pageants followed, e.g. Miss Teen (in the top ten), Queen of the World, South Africa (second princess), Miss Polokwane and Mini Miss RSA.
"I have a unique insight into mental health of teenagers as I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, as well as borderline personality disorder and an acute eating disorder when I turned 17. I was at a mental health facility two times and have a personal record of seven suicide attempts. I believe in the power of words. If we speak up about things that would normally be considered taboo, that's when we start to dismantle the walls that hold us back. I am not ashamed of my experiences because I believe there is a little girl or little boy out there who needs to know that they are not crazy and they are beautiful with all their flaws. If I can touch just one person, I've done my job. That is why I do pageants," Jerry shares.
It struck her one day that, if somebody had been there for her at the time of her first suicide attempt at the age of 11, things could have been different. She recalls that she needed to hear that someone was there to hold her hand, or saying that things were going to be okay. "I have a duty to do this, to reach out. I love giving advice. I'm there for them to lend a hand, to hug, to smile. At high school, people always came to me if they wanted to give up."
Jerry continues to tell that she did not originally plan to study psychology. She wanted to study biomedical science, but the course was full. Her faculty administrator recommended that she do a BA and switch to biomedical science in her second year. She discovered psychology and never looked back. Being a final year student, she studies online, works full-time and is involved in many ventures.
Charity is close to Jerry's heart. "I keep a package in my car with dog food and a dog blanket. Whenever I see a stray animal, I feed it, or pick it up and take it to the SPCA - whose telephone number I know off by heart!" says Jerry.
An excited Jerry continues that, if she wins the title of Miss Makhado Royal 2022, she will open a modelling school that offers underprivileged models in Louis Trichardt (especially in the villages) free classes. The R10 000 business-venture prize if she wins would be very helpful in finding a place where people do not need to pay an arm and a leg to reach their full potential.
Jerry designs all her own dresses for pageants and developed the confidence with yet another act of charity to assist less fortunate models with dresses – free of charge.
Jerry shares this quote (inspired by Finding Nemo): "You are not alone; it gets better, and just keep swimming!"