Durban — It has been barely a month since the crowning of an unconventional Miss South Africa, Mia le Roux, who is deaf, but already her story is cultivating more models with a disability to take charge, come out and be seen. One of those rising stars is Ahliya Maharaj, 11, from Kloof.
Ahliya has been chosen as one of the kiddies models, the first deaf model, to participate in this year’s Galleria’s Got Talent Fashion Show (also known as GGT Fashion Show), which is an inclusive fashion event organised by Galleria Shopping Mall.
She attends Hillcrest Primary School and is doing Grade 5S.
“I was born profoundly deaf and I am bilaterally cochlear implanted. My biggest inspiration for modelling is my mom and Miss SA 2024. My biggest achievement is despite my disability I excel in my studies at a mainstream school,” she said.
She said her career highlight so far was being selected to participate in the Galleria’s Got Talent Fashion Show.
“My biggest challenge is the lack of understanding and awareness as this leads to bullying which started impacting my self-confidence, and that’s when my mom signed me up for modelling classes to show me ‘I am beautiful’, which is also her favourite song by Christina Aguilera.
Ahliya also has a message to inspire other young girls from the Bible: “‘Be Strong, Don’t be afraid.’ Isaiah 35:5. I would like to help educate awareness, opportunities and support not just families with disabilities, but regular people,” she said.
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Daily News