25th July, 2007

"The IFP Youth Brigade is proud to present its own beauty pageant as the event unfolds across 57 constituency areas of KwaZulu Natal.

"The typical perception of a beauty pageant is that it occurs once a year, parades women of a petite frame, the event is live on stage, and that a talent is involved somehow. Our beauty contest is bound to change this perception drastically. "The proposal to organise this unprecedented youth brigade initiative stems from the need to mobilise the youth and improve youth participation in the electoral process, given the widespread lack of interest in politics and voter apathy amongst the province's youth and first-time voters.

"This has been well evidenced by the stubbornly poor turnout by youth in all rounds of registrations for inclusion in the national common voters' roll and, subsequently, in the polls.

"By definition, a beauty contest is a competition based mainly, though not always entirely, on the physical beauty of its contestants, and often incorporating personality, talent demonstration, and question responses as judged criteria.

"As such, our contest has a tremendous entertainment value. Its primary asset, however, is to improve direct contact with the youth of KwaZulu Natal and it will accomplish just that.

"On a more practical note, the constituencies have until September to choose top 10 contestants who will further contest the district level. We are glad to say that the response, both from the public and sponsors, has so far been overwhelming.

"The top 5 beauties to emerge from the 11 district level pageants will contest the finals in Durban in December. The IFP hopes that the pageant, open to young women between the ages of 16 and 25, will become an annual event. There are some amazing prizes to be won."



FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Sipho Mbatha, 082 971 5849