Parow resident wins Miss Deaf SA Photogenic title

Janica Louw, a Parow north resident, was crowned as Miss Deaf SA Photogenic at this year's Miss, Mr and Mrs Deaf South Africa pageant, which took place at the Playhouse Company in Durban on Saturday September 3.

"I was surprised when they called my sign name... I was so happy and grateful to win the Miss Deaf SA Photogenic 2022 title," says Ms Louw.

The 23-year-old fashion designer says that the Miss Deaf SA pageant is important because it aims to improve the self esteem and confidence of deaf people.

With September marking deaf awareness month the pageant also aims to raise awareness through the competition.

"I was diagnosed as hard of hearing at the age of six with a hearing loss of 50%. I was already enrolled in a mainstream school and my parents decided to keep me there and see if I would cope. I did, with a lot of effort and help from teachers and friends," said Ms Louw.

This was Ms Louw's first time entering the pageant.

"I was waiting for the right time to enter," she said.

Ms Louw says that she grew as a person during the Miss, Mr and Mrs Deaf SA competition.

"I learned a lot and I have so much more self confidence now."

She says her favourite aspects of the pageant was creating deaf awareness and making close friends during the competition.

“To see how people's opinion about deaf people change... like they don't have to be afraid of making an effort to talk to us, include us and give us a chance to be heard,” she said."