Louise Robinson

Izimvo has the great pleasure of introducing Mrs South Africa Semi-finalist: Louise Robinson.

Louise, a working mother of two, is proving that it is never too late to follow your dreams. With the support of her family, Louise entered the Mrs South Africa pageant and has been selected as one of the 15 semi-finalists. The annual competition, held later this year, sets out to highlight the importance of married woman in today’s society.

Louise is hosting a high tea for those in the Ballito area this Saturday, the 6th Feb. The high tea includes a fashion show and is raising funds for the Mrs SA charities, the biggest of which being The Beeld Children’s Fund.

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Location: Ballito

Louise was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Personal

Q: How would you like to be introduced at the Mrs South Africa event?

A: I would love to be introduced as Louise Robinson, the Ballito gal with a heart for people!

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I am a total adrenalin junkie! I have bungied at the Vic Falls and have done the big shot in Vegas… OH YA, and I have met Bill Clinton.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: A good foot massage from my wonderful husband and a devine cup of tea pretty much sorts me out.

Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South African would you like it to be?

A: My dream home is one that allows for comfortable living (child friendly in other words) and easy entertaining; I would love a huge inviting kitchen / lodging (we normally the destination of choice for our family from Gauteng); and I would love to build it right here in Simbithi!

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property

The Mrs South Africa Contest

Q: Congrats for being in the regional finals of the Mrs South Africa 2010 competition. What was your motivation for entering the competition?

A: You know what, I want to use it as a platform to do more for underprivileged people. I can help slightly more people together with the Mrs SA opportunity, that is part of my motivation for entering. The other part is to show my girls that if you have a dream, you can achieve it! It does not matter what your circumstances are. With hard work, strong faith, the right attitude and with your heart in the right place you can reach for the stars!

Q: Can you give us a background on the competition and what it involves?

A: The competition, as far as I can see started in the 1970’s. It is a competition that is there to: To highlight the positive role of married women in South African society, make a difference in their lives as well as those around them who embrace the values of marriage within all our diverse cultures. (Vision)

Mission

- To enable married women of all ages to compete as equals
- To honour the rules of fair and just competition
- To elevate the profile of married women in their community
- To host a spectacular pageant and crowning
- To ensure that the Winners are worthy of the Crown and will wear it with pride.
- To assist Mrs SA to compete in Mrs World with the object of winning
- To actively promote the competition and pageant, and all that it stands for, to all married South Africa women.

Values Statement

- Act with integrity
- Be accountable
- Be reasonable
- Take initiative
- Deliver value
- Foster partnership and cooperation
- Value each individual’s ability

The competition involves mostly fundraising for Mrs SA and the charities that they support. The biggest part of the judging process is each contestant’s fundraiser that they host, like my one on Saturday. Two judges will be there as well as the MD of Mrs SA.

Q: You are hosting a High Tea at on the 6th February to raise money for charity. What can guests look forward to and which charities are you supporting?

A: I am so very excited for the High Tea! The ladies are all going to receive the most divine goody bags, filled with things like a 1 month free membership at the Lockeroom, a free in salon hair treatment and blow wave at Scissor Sisters, a R100 off a SunFX spray tan, a free Galvanic Spa treatment voucher, Environ samples and tons more! The generosity of all the businesses involved does not end there, I have more than 25 stunning lucky draw prizes, like x2 free SunFX tanning vouchers, x2 huge flower arrangements by Imbali, x2 WAR Supplements weight loss hampers including a diet plan, a Miglio jewelry gift, x2 Lockeroom 1 year memberships, x2 Sharon Wood photography vouchers, x1 International Fashion Stylist course, x1 box of Simply Slim, x2 Jean Guthrie Beauty Care hampers, x2 non-invasive non-surgical facelift vouchers, x1 R1000 voucher at Secrets Day Spa…HOW COOL ARE THESE THINGS!!!!

AND, to top this “Girly Day” off we are going to have a fashion show, showcasing Maryke’s new clothing range called Thanda, as well as her evening wear and a wedding dress; we are also going to see White Summers new range and Viscaria Ladies Boutique’s clothes! And, the food that Janet from Coco De Mer is preparing is going to be delectable!!!

The funds go to Mrs SA and the charities that they support – the biggest one being The Beeld Children’s Fund.

Q: What would it mean to you personally if you won Mrs South Africa?

A: It would be so wonderful to know that I am going to have a very active role in fund raising and in helping under privilaged people! It would fulfill one of my dreams that I had even before I got married, and it would show my girls that you can do anything if you really want to! And, age is actually just a number…

Q: How do you balance a full-time job as a medical rep & the planning & preparation needed for Mrs South Africa?

A: You know what, by doing my best to prioritise things, and to plan (I have a million little lists)!!!

Q: Do you have any health and fitness secrets?

A: Nutrition is key, so what you eat is the most important thing under the sun, especially if you do not get to the gym as often as you should! So, I use WAR Supplements – the whey protein powder (I drink 3 to 4 shakes a day). It is the only supplement range that has no colourants or preservatives, the healthiest sweetner (sucralose) AND 7 amazing flavours; and I use Transformer sometimes! I do try and go for a walk 2 or 3 times a week in the mornings.

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: I must say that we have been very blessed, we have not been affected by crime.

Q: If you were given the opportunity of sitting down with the president, what advice would you offer him?

A: I would tell him to invest in DSTV…..another child with another lady????

Q: Who do you consider as South Africa’s greatest ever Mrs South Africa?

A: Every year’s winner has great attributes that I could learn from. It would be very difficult to single one out.

Q: South Africa’s greatest export is?

A: According to my little sister it is her, because her and her husband are going skiing in March! She feels she is going to rule the slopes!

Life in Ballito

Q: What do you enjoy most about living in Ballito ?

A: The beauty of the ocean and the peaceful living in Simbithi!

Q: Favorite restaurant in or around Ballito for a romantic night out?

A: Zimbali’s restaurant

Q: First place you would take an international visitor?

A: I have visited Mandela’s house in Soweto and had lunch at the shebeen accross the road from it. Madiba has become synonomous with SA; and I can only imagine how much more an international visitor would enjoy that.

Q: What are your thoughts on the new International Airport opening soon near Ballito?

A: Sounds fantastic and great for business men and woman!

General

Q: If you could invite any three South Africans to dinner, who would you invite and what would you ask them to bring?

A: My Gran, her willingness to always help and her sense of anything can be done through HARD WORK; my Mom, her eternal optimism and her sense of NOTHING is going to get me down; and my husband, his never ending encouragement, help and support!

Q: What does your personal training schedule look like?

A: Uhm, I would LOVE to go to gym daily, but that is not something that I can do at this stage; so I try and go for walks or runs 2 or 3 times a week.

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale.

Q: Where would you like to wake up tomorrow?

A: In San Fransico!!!

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you ask them?

A: Volunteers who went to Haiti, and I would like to hear about their experience and how we can help.

We would like to thank Louise for taking time out of her busy schedule to answers these questions and wish her every sucess in the build up to the Mrs South Africa contest being held later this year.

If you would like to attend the High Tea, which is being held at La Coco Mer in Ballito on Saturday the 6th Feb, you can email Louise on lsrobinson@telkomsa.net or call her on 082 920 6476.