She chooses to live life boldly. She is strong-willed and maybe even a little hard-headed. Don’t try to convince her otherwise once she has set her mind on something.
Today, Crown Gardens’ Anarzade Omar, a Miss SA 2022 top 10 finalist and BIC Soleil ambassador shines her way.
As you get to know her, it is evident that this young woman will not let go of her dreams. By her own admittance she ‘chooses to live boldly and unapologetically and never give up on my dreams.
‘I am fortunate to have a family and partner who can deal with my strong personality because my mind will not easily be changed once I have set my heart on something.’
And if you listen to this statement you can’t help but imagine the much younger version of Anarzade when she shares one of her childhood memories where she and her friends started their own little business because they were tired of being broke.
‘We would save our pocket money, walk to the shops to buy bags of tomatoes, onions and potatoes, repack it in smaller packets and go around the neighbourhood to sell them. We would wash cars, baby-sit and house-sit – all because we wanted money to spend on sweets and ice cream,’ she said with a smile.
Those clever little tricks are like a golden thread through her life. When she was at varsity and the financial situation at home became a bit tight she had a choice – give up and put her studies on hold or get out there and get a part-time job to pay for her studies. And she did just that. Not even lockdown could get her down. When she was struggling without her regular sushi fix during those long months, she became a self-taught sushi chef and started her own small online sushi business.
‘Through the power of social media, my followers showed an interest in my sushi and I started taking orders. It has never stopped although I had to tone it down a bit since I have gone back to working full time at my office job.’
Being a Miss SA top 10 finalist
Speaking of which, this is another journey where Anarzarde just refused to give up on her dream. She made it to the top 35 in 2019 and the top 30 the following year and was determined this year to make it third time lucky.
‘This has always been my goal and I was determined to get my spot in the final. I honestly believe this is my purpose and that it is worth fighting for.
‘I believe I am a different person from who I was when I first entered. It has made me stronger and I have grown as a person. It made me go back to the drawing board and focus on what I truly want to do with the Miss South Africa platform and what my purpose with it is.
‘If I can motivate just one person to fight for their dreams, then I know that my job here has been successful.
‘This journey has been nothing short of life-changing and empowering. It truly has allowed me to unlock versions of myself that I didn’t even know I had.
‘I am so honoured to have met such incredible people who allow me to grow and learn. This is a journey which I will carry with me everywhere I go.’
Every one of the women I’ve met is unique in their own way and I got to learn, laugh, cry and celebrate with them which has made this journey even more special.’
Touching on the lows during the lead-up to the finals she admits that the hardest part is probably when believing in yourself is a bit hard. ‘We are all humans and I can’t say that every day was a day for a confident and extremely positive me. It is an active decision you have to take. However, I managed to quickly dust off the self-doubt and bounced back.’
Born to empower
Not only did her journey with the Miss SA entrants teach her that women should never conform to any society standards or fit into any boxes. It taught her that women should continue to break boundaries and defy the odds.
‘Most importantly, it taught me that women should not be breaking each other down. We should be building each other up because we are stronger together.’
And through this she found yet another platform to use her experience to empower other women, especially young women. The BIC Soleil Search was an online call for women to submit their entries with a video of themselves.
‘After voting and interviews, I was selected alongside Khona Duniwa and Mandisa Makunga for becoming part of the BIC Soleil Squad 2021/2022.
‘Being a BIC Soleil brand ambassador gives me an incredible platform that I can work hand-in-hand with BIC Soleil to continue to inspire and build the confidence of the young women of our country.
‘The Shine Your Way campaign embraces the uniqueness of every woman and reminds us to celebrate that and share it with the rest of the world. It reminds us how strong and special we are and we should never shy away from our shine.
‘I love the fact that the BIC brand recognises confidence which goes beyond product choices and aims to play a key role in supporting self-care and empowering women to have confidence and shine their way -through their abilities, talent, beauty or diversity.’
A message to the women out there?
‘My message to women is to never dull your shine. You are worth all your dreams and never give up on them. Most importantly, always fix each other’s crowns because we are stronger when we are together.’
ABOUT THIS AND THAT
Do you prefer food, travel or art? Food
The one thing nobody or few people know about you? I’m an open book
Rain vs sunshine? Sunshine
City life vs outdoor life? Outdoors
Your ultimate spoil? Taking me out to eat at a restaurant
Your guilty pleasure? Dessert
Your pet peeves? Spelling or pronouncing my name wrong
Your best movie ever? Black Panther
Currently on your playlist? Last Last – Burna Boy
Your wardrobe must haves? Blazers and sweat pants
Your motto in life? Fall 100 times get up 101 times
If you could do one thing before you die, what would that be?
Travel the world.
Text: CARINA VAN DER WALT. Photo: SUPPLIED BY BIC SOLEIL
