The newly crowned Ms Deaf International 2022, Megan Holmes Cred: Megan Megan Holmes
By Moraka Mehale
Ms Deaf South Africa 2021, Megan Holmes, was crowned Ms Deaf International 2022 at a glitteringpageant held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on October 30.
The 35-year-old from Cape Town beat contestants from countries including Botswana, Senegal, India, Rwanda, North Korea, Tanzania and Australia. Holmes said it took “a lot of stamina, motivation and passion to keep going as it’s not easy” competing against contestants from various countries. “There is no word I can describe the way I feel. But I know that I made my country proud,” she said.
After she was crowned Ms Deaf South Africa (MDSA) in 2021, “I spearheaded numerous charities such as Cadenza, an initiative for deaf seniors” and collaborated with Creative Academy “to support breast cancer awareness and managed to donate over 300 preloved bras to RemarSA for women’s shelters”, said Holmes.
She said that taking part in Miss and Mister DeafInternational 2022 afforded her an opportunity to “meet confident deaf beauties from all over the world and to learn their cultures. It was a beautiful and interesting experience for me to learn their perspectives and majority are signers, communicating conversationally with people who are deaf or hard of hearing,” said the holder of certificates in small business financial management and education and training certificate in bookkeeping (both NQF 4) from the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers.
Janice Davies Jonker, the chief executive officer of MDSA, who encouraged Holmes to participate on the international stage, said it was not surprising that the Western Cape beauty was crowned Ms Deaf International. Through her commitment and dedication, “I knew that she had a good chance and believed that she could bring the title.” Holmes also won the title for the best cultural attire.
Holmes is the first MDSA queen to be crowned winner on the international stage, as Tracy Duncan was second princess at the 2019 Miss and Mister Deaf International pageant held in Russia. Jonker told ThisAbility that she checks on former contestants from time to time and supports and guides them in their current fundraising endeavours.
According to Holmes’ mother, Carmel Holmes, “Having a child with an impairment taught me to be patient and not give up on her.” Her role during her child’s pageant journey was “believing in her and giving her all the love and support she needed while telling her to believe in herself”.
