ON first hearing her voice, one might consider her timid – until she bubbles into a conversation with a boisterous energy that belies her natural poise.
Who is this girl who has imperceptibly climbed the glamour ladder to unexpectedly find herself in the Top 40 of a well-known Afrikaans periodical as Sarie Voorbladgesig 2019? Her name is Lorna Linamandla Mpenge (who turned 27 on July 30), a matriculant of Nobin-gile Secondary School in Umtata, who went on to obtain a BSc in Geo-science, majoring in Geography and Geology, followed by a BSc-Hons. in Geology at NMU in Port Elizabeth.
She is at present Energy and Water Management Assistant under the supervision of André Adendorff at Woodlands Dairy in Humansdorp. Her tasks include keeping track of the company’s monthly energy consumption. The company is currently in the process of implementing ISO 5001 Standard (also known as the Energy Management Standard), which she manages, making sure the company sticks to its commitment to use both energy and water as efficiently as possible and that it does not impact negatively on the environment.
Though being more than the ave-rage girl matriculating in her hometown, she never aspired to become a celebrity. But during a photo shoot with Heshaam Shaaban, he echoed some of her friends’ opinion that she should consider modelling as part of her life-style. The make-up artist felt the same way, and in May this year a rather reluctant Lorna submitted photos to enter the well-known Afrikaans Sarie’s cover girl competition.
Apart from the woman in her enjoying the challenge, her field of study joins hands with the concept of creating a better world in more than one respect. Her studies motivate her to be a role model. Being an avid environmentalist, she finds herself in good company with Woodlands Dairy, which helps schools and also awards scholarships and bursaries. She hopes to inspire young people to become part of a generation that takes care of the environment and resources that keep the planet inhabitable.
Running keeps her fit, and she shares this message with young girls: Prepare yourself for life. Study. Do something for yourself.
Thus living her dream, Lorna has become part of an interesting phenomenon – brainy girls entering the field of beauty and celebrities.
The people of Jeffreys Bay will do well to keep her in mind when the Top 10 are chosen in September this year. Judges will select the Top 10 from the existing Top 40 – to be released in the September edition of Sarie. That is when the voting will begin again.
