Update
KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna-born and raised Liza Aiken (33) graces the current cover of the popular Afrikaans magazine Sarie after she was named the Sarie Voorbladgesig 2023 on 2 November.
"I was born and raised in Knysna. I treasure my hometown," says Aiken on proudly representing her town.
"It is where I grew up and completed my schooling career - where I went to Stepping Stones, Knysna Primary School and Knysna High School. I will always remember my roots, where I come from and where it all started."
Aiken first entered the Sarie Voorbladgesig competition in 2017 and made it to the Top 10 that year. She decided to enter the competition again this year under newfound inspiration.
"This year I decided to follow in the footsteps of our now reigning Miss South Africa, Natasha Joubert, and give it another go. When the editor of Sarie phoned me to say I've made the Top 5, the moment felt surreal. I was happy, excited, nervous, overjoyed and anxious, all at the same time! This year truly is the year of second chances," she says.
The gala evening where Liza was named as this year's Voorbladgesig took place on the Nasdak rooftop of the Media24 building in Cape Town on 2 November.
Aiken started modelling part-time in 2018 and is currently represented by one of Cape Town's leading agencies, D&A Model Management. Since then she has featured in a number of local and international campaigns.
She works in performance monitoring and evaluation at the newly formed Western Cape Mobility Department. Aiken says that her interest lies in nature conservation, architecture and television presenting. She hopes to one day become a successful TV presenter on a lifestyle/travel/fashion programme.
She currently lives in Cape Town and, aside from her day job and modelling career, she is an active member in her community, working with the Young Adults group for the Roman Catholic Church in Bellville.
"You owe it to yourself to make your dreams come true because no one will fight harder for your dreams than you," she says.
"Your dreams are valid - go after them! As much as I love my hometown, I am also inspired by my fellow South Africans and our beloved country. The way we stand together in good times and bad - we truly are a resilient nation!"
Knysna-born Liza Aiken at the Sarie Voorbladgesig gala evening.
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