By Nikita Chiniah
Former Umhlatuzana Township resident Alisha Munilall, a finalist in the long-running Miss India South Africa pageant, believes she is spreading love and light.
At 26-year-old, the businesswoman currently resides in Sandton, and works in the software engineering sector. She has built her own upskill and empowerment programme called, The Goddess Warrior Foundation, in which she dedicates her time to targeting issues close to her heart.
She has focused her attention on youth empowerment by providing information technology (IT) career guidance and motivational talks.
Her latest project is Garden of Hope, made up of planting a variety of vegetable seedlings at a school that will use the harvested produce to create nutritious meals for the learners, namely at the at the Tshepang Program for Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in Gauteng, a centre run by Susan Rammekwa.
Munilall believes children from three years old to 20-year-old could benefit from her community outreach programmes.
“I am in the process of procuring a personal computer computer to be installed at the school. This is aimed at educating learners on the basic knowledge and skills in computing,” she said.
She says she strives to be a woman of ‘’purpose, vision and change’’.
“I believe that hand in hand with the Miss South Africa organisation, I will be able to advocate and empower the youth of today on a larger scale. I am ready to serve my country. Making a difference to my country is very close to my heart. From a young age, I have been selflessly passionate about giving back to the community.
‘’I believe the smallest good deed has a ripple effect. I have made it my life’s mission to help as many individuals as I can. I want to show the world that helping one another goes far beyond language, racial and stereotype barriers,” said Munilall.
She graduated with a distinction in Bachelor Science in Information Technology degree and has two diplomas and over 50 certificates in Information Technology, Software Architecture and Business Management.
Upon completing her IT studies, she relocated to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and was offered a position because of her ‘skills in athletics’ as a Rescuer. She returned to SA as a software engineer and has been involved in large IT projects for major national and international organisations.
“Growing up, I had a strong point for academics and sport. I joined a swimming club at the age of eight and later at a competitive level. I am a former football league player. I had been passionate about computer science since a young age and pursued it to tertiary level.
“I am actively involved in community initiatives, awareness campaigns and empowerment programmes and as a volunteer for the Cupcakes of Hope Foundation, Support Cancer Awareness South Africa, and hosting community food drives, fundraisers and school visits on awareness and social issue talks. I enjoy traveling, outdoor activities and spending time with my fur-child (cat) Sofia who means the world to me.”
