Tamelyn Geneview Bock
Jo By Hlamalani Semango
On December 02, 2021 the Artscape Theatre hosted its first pageant for Wheelchair South Africa 2021 in Cape Town. The winner was honored as the Miss Wheelchair South Africa 2021 after contesting against 9 other Miss Wheelchair finalist from different provinces across the country.
The pageant was organized by the founder of Universal Accessibility Hub Shama Nathoo in partnership with the first princess of Miss Wheelchair World and Miss Wheelchair SA pageant co-Founder, Lebogang Monyatsi with the aim of creating an awareness around beauty without barriers and changing the perception, narrative and image of disabled women in South Africa.
Universal Accessibility Hub (UAHUB) was established in 2017 to advocate for persons with disabilities in South Africa and globally.
The South African constitution’s founding provisions highlight the values of human dignity, equality, human rights and freedom. To realise the ideal Universal access it is necessary to address the barriers experienced by those left out or left behind.
The winner of the pageant was Tamelyn Geneview Bock, followed by the 1st princess Nokuthula Yonke (20) from Western Cape and 2nd princess Maureen Galaletsang Mokgele (24) from North West-Taung.
Thisability recently caught up with the winner to discuss the pageant and its objectives.
Who is Tamelyn Geneview Bock?
Tamelyn Geneview Bock is 25, from Northern Cape in a small area near Springbok called Nababeep. I attended school in Northern Cape till Grade 9 and then I moved to Western Cape where I attended Athlone School for the Blind in 2012. It is a special school for learners with all kinds of disabilities. My aim when I left Northern Cape was to try and be more independent and try something new. I completed Grade 12 at Athlone School and I must say it was a really nice experience there. There were no judgemental people there, we were all disabled with different kinds of limitations. I became a top academic achiever and because of that I was offered a bursary by Muscle Dystrophy Foundation in partnership with Varsity College in Rondebosch to complete my studies in the field of corporate and communication management.
What inspired you to enter Miss Wheelchair South Africa?
I have tried to enter a beauty pageant before, like Miss South Africa in 2017, but when I got to the event I didn’t feel comfortable just looking at all the girls who were there. They looked absolutely amazing and their bodies too, so I didn’t go through with it. Then again I tried to enter the Miss Wheelchair World and their response was I had to enter Miss Wheelchair South Africa first so I had to wait for the competition to open up and enter. I was inspired more by the fact that this pageant was all about change of how beauty is defined and being the voice of this transformation that’s happening I really feel honoured.
What did you do to prepare for the stage?
I kept myself calm and collected. I am always a determined person so I went there with a goal and I tried to maintain positivity. I kept myself positive all the time and I did not overthink the whole situation. I took each day as it came and tried to give the best of my abilities all the time and put in all the effort. But I wouldn’t have made it without my companion. He was there from day one, until the day I was crowned and for him being there was amazing because he has been supportive throughout the whole competition till the end.
Your reaction the time your name was called?
I felt a lot of mixed emotions, I was so shocked, I was overwhelmed. I didn’t know exactly how to feel or react at that time. It felt like a dream come true. A part of me just went in tears but really I was excited also.
What goals or changes will you bring as the new Miss Wheelchair South Africa?
I want to bring positive perception. I want society to think positive every time they see a disabled person. I want the society to have a positive perception of that person instead of judging a person by looking at their disabilities or limitations but judge the person based on their personality because we are all human after all. So I want to break the stereotype barriers that say that disabled can’t do this or that or disabled people are like that.
The change I also want to bring is the difficulties of disabled people getting jobs – I myself am battling to get a job at the corporate and communication management; making the working environment accessible especially for wheelchair users and transportation issues as well. I want transportation to be inclusive to people with disabilities, not only to chase money but to cater for us as well, most importantly to bring change so that the future generations will be welcomed in a positive mindset of uniqueness that lies in us and also a positive outlook regardless of our disabilities.
Are you ready for Mexico? Ready to represent South Africa at Miss Wheelchair World 2022?
To be honest it would be my first time flying, especially abroad but I am really looking forward to it. I am excited and really feel honoured to be going there to represent South Africa and its glory. It’s a huge privilege but I will also require financial assistance for the person who’s going to be assisting me there as the ticket only covers me but I am working hard to make it possible. I would really appreciate the help of my fellow South Africans or any sponsors who are willing to help. It would really mean a lot to make this dream a reality.
What message for the youth?
My favourite quotes are: “Start unknown and finish unforgettable” by Misty Copeland, and “Be the change you want to see in the world” by Mahatma Gandhi. I was unknown until I started working towards my goals, so I would advise everyone, from differently-abled to non-abled, to just start following your dreams no matter where you stand in life.
Bock was not only crowned Miss Wheelchair South Africa 2021 but she also won a new wheelchair from CE Mobility worth R45 000, a cushion worth R11 000 from Solutions Medical, a tablet and a smart phone from Vodacom and life coaching lessons from Professional & Personal Institute of Excellence.
