From pretty lights to Christmas tunes, Umhlanga’s RiAnne Rautenbach is ready to glow all out this festive season!
How early is too early to go hard on Christmas? If you ask RiAnne, Christmas started months ago. The holiday vibes have had her planning beach days and shopping for pretty things in between packing Santa Shoeboxes and strutting down the runway of South Africa’s prestigious Mrs Globe pageant, which advocates for the empowerment of women from all walks of life.
As a mum, model, public relations officer, and Zumba instructor with a flair for interior design (she also works in the property development field for Collins Residential), RiAnne leads a very busy life. But, when it comes to the season of feel-good, she’s all about getting her Christmas glam on early and that always includes a little red, black or gold!
This year, RiAnne declared the holiday season officially open on the first day of November, by switching out her gym gear for a few gorgeous Kathrin Kidger numbers and indulging us in a fun-filled shoot – oozing with all the jingle and joy of Christmas … and did we mention she looked utterly beautiful! While we were busy, she chatted to us about growing up in a foster home, being a single mum to three strapping boys, and why she loves the smell of shortbread baking in the oven.
Fresh off a flight from the Mrs Globe South Africa 2022 finale, RiAnne is beaming. She was crowned first runner up and has been invited to join winner Zanele Xenn Sibiya at the Mrs Globe 2023 World Finals in Hong Kong in April next year. The road here, one of discipline and determination, has been paved with purpose – to motivate, to inspire and to change lives.
“When I was approached to enter the pageant, I wondered what real purpose I would serve being a part of it. Then I learned about the representation of strong yet elegant women who are passionate about fixing the crowns of their fellow sisters.”
The Mrs Globe brand has strong ties with the B Loved Foundation that restores the lives of SA’s most vulnerable.
“The organisation works towards nurturing children who have been traumatised by human trafficking. It also has educational outreach programmes and feeding schemes that are part of the non-profit organisation’s upliftment efforts.”
This aligns with RiAnne’s own passion for uplitfting women and children who are in need of support.
“With a 25-year history and over 84 countries participating, the pageant allows me the platform to have a voice, to reach out and motivate the youth that they too have a chance to be anything they dream to be and to share my story.”
The Fame World Fitness Model title holder ,who gyms Monday to Friday and balances her busy life with a morning walk on the promenade, grew up in a foster home. She was later adopted by the Christian family who ran the facility. RiAnne says her parents are her biggest inspiration and the reason she holds such pride in her womanhood and thrives so well independently. She attributes her success to a very strong will.
“My mother and father, who had four biological sons of their own, were incredibly loving. Nothing was too much for the homeless babies that would arrive on our doorstep – sometimes even when the car was packed and we were about to go on holiday. It was my mother’s calling.”
Over a period of time, RiAnne’s parents looked after 24 foster babies. Each time a home was found for one of them, she says her mother would cry bitterly, because her mother said it felt like she was losing one of her own.
“What a privilege that I had such an amazing, loving and committed woman as a mother, a role model and an influence in my life! I’m so fortunate that good morale and values were instilled in me from an early age. This path has led me to passionately nurture my own as well as others’ children.
RiAnne says she absolutely loves being a mom to her boys Kel, Rhees and Chase, two of whom have already flown the coop.
“Single mom life is always a challenge, but we have climbed a steep hill together. We are very close and support each other with whatever we do. ’m blessed to have my boys in my life. I look back to when I was a child and remember how much I was adored. I know this is what drove me to love my boys so fiercely. It also gave me a yearning, throughout my life, to want to share that same unconditional love with children who don’t have that.”
As a community upliftment champion RiAnne has a huge heart for orphaned babies.
“I work with our local baby homes, spending time with the babies and trying to meet the wish list needs of each home. The lovely ladies of Mount Edgecombe Village have shared their support by knitting blankets, beanies and toys for these precious babies. Babies R Us helps by sponsoring hampers and other essential items. We’ve been hard at work putting together Santa shoeboxes for each baby home and we’ll deliver these gifts and spread as much love and Christmas cheer to the babies and staff as we can. I’m so excited for this!”
Big on wholesome, healthy food, happy company and loads of good laughs, she’s always loved Christmas.
“It’s the best time of the year! The holidays are in sight and pretty lights and Christmas music everywhere you go add to the festive cheer. At home we decorate and put up the tree on December 1, and we always do a countdown to Christmas. Local markets are amazing to visit this time of year and we love going to the Botanic Garden’s annual Trail of Lights. It’s all beach days, unwinding, holiday vibes and loads of fun things to do. My parents always made sure we felt the spirit of Christmas and the holidays, and I like to do the same.”
RiAnne says she remembers vividly the heavenly smell of butter, caramelized sugars and toasted flour that wafted from their family kitchen when, as a young girl, she helped her mom bake moreish shortbread and crunchies for festive nibbles at home.
“We also packed these into glass jars and gifted them to people. Whenever I smell something sweet baking in an oven, I’m reminded of these special moments and it feels like Christmas all over again.”
The days leading up to Christmas, RiAnne says, are generally spent on last minute shopping, gift wrapping and prepping for the big day which is spent with family.
“It’s important to remember the essence and meaning of Christmas. It’s not about how many gifts we give or get. It’s about remembering the greatest gift the world received. For me, spending quality time together as a family, having fun, celebrating this special day and reflecting on the year we’ve had is enough to make my heart full.”
RiAnne, who has always had a love for fashion and interior design, recalls that as a three-year-old, her greatest joy was shopping for pretty dresses “…with matching hairclips of course!”
With a penchant for pretty things, she says gold is her go-to colour palette, especially at Christmas.
“I love basic fashion items to glam with gorgeous jewellery pieces and shoes. A pretty summer dress is always a win and it’s a bonus to find a pretty sparkly little top or something boldly red to add a festive touch to what I wear over the holidays or on Christmas day. As long as I have a comfy pair of pretty slops to match anything I wear, wherever I go, I’m happy.”
As for December 31, she’ll be dancing her way right through it at a beach house party with friends.
“Lots more laughter and even more good memories will be enjoyed beside the ocean – the perfect background noise for relaxation and stress relief. Can’t think of anything better!
I have such a wonderful sense that 2023 is going to be amazing. There are huge new ventures and opportunities ahead of us, for which I cannot wait. This is my journey, and it’s just the beginning.”
CREDITS
Photos: JoNo Nienaber Photography, [email protected]; Hair: Drew Christie, Evolve Hair & Styling, La Lucia, 031 572 4595; Makeup: Accentuate Hair and Makeup Academy, www.professionalmakeup artist.co.za, 079 541 2551; Skincare: Durban North Aesthetics Nails: Hello honey; Venue and decor: Vegmo Accessories, [email protected], 031 574 7500; Connective Consulting: Kim Griffith Jones; Clothing and styling: Kathrin Kidger Designs, kathrinkidger.co.za,083 771 1204
