Written by: Venal Naidu

Over 80 contestants from the Mrs Universe Pageant marched through Dr Prixley KaSeme Street on Wednesday morning, in a ‘One Voice’ march against gender-based violence‚ child abuse and human trafficking.

The march started at King Dinuzulu Park and made its way to the Durban City Hall where a memorandum was handed over to a representative from the office of the Mayor Zandile Gumede.

Mrs Universe Africa Hosting Director, Tracey-Anne Buckley, said that the women marched to say no to some of the biggest problems the world is currently facing.

“We are marching for the rights of women and children; all for the sake of ‘no’ to gender violence, human trafficking and rape. It’s time that every victim around the world unites and knows that they are not alone and knows their voices are not silenced anymore,” said Buckley.

The ladies marched on the streets wearing their gold-ribboned sashes.. Project Manager and Ikhono Communications Representative, Delia Samuel, explained why.

“It’s to symbolize that all of us are on this journey together and we all intertwined with each other as we stand against violence against women and children,” explained Samuel.

South Africa’s representative in the pageant, Trisha Poona, is excited that she will be representing her country in her home town and said that she has never seen her city like this before.

“I’m so humbled and honoured to be representing this beautiful country that we live in. In these last few days I have seen my city in a new light; the hospitality that we have shown our international guests has just been remarkable,” said Poona.

Poona also stated that winning this competition will help her build on the platforms she has already created.

“I want to represent my people, Durban and South Africa in the best way possible in this competition. Mrs South Africa has given me the platform to already achieve so much and winning this competition will allow me to do even more things,” Poona ended.

The Mrs Universe Pageant will take place at the Durban International Convention Centre on Saturday 2^nd September.

*Caption: Mrs World contestants march through the streets of Durban.