Pinetown — The Hindu Students Association at Pinetown Girls High filled the school hall with colour and music on 21 August when it presented its Annual Fashion Show, an event organisers said aimed at celebrating cultural unity and encouraging young women to put their own wellbeing and ambitions first.
Performance, prayer and a strong message for young women
Grade 9 learners Danielle Mkhize, Rosetta Moloi and Mpumelelo Ngcobo were among those who modelled on the night, walking the red carpet and performing on stage. The programme mixed fashion with song and dance, and drew both learners and educators who wore carefully chosen outfits to reflect the theme of unity.
Event organiser and educator Terry Poolingam coordinated the show. Guest speaker Preya Singh delivered a motivational talk aimed at pupils and staff, urging women and girls to place value on their own aspirations rather than continually sacrificing personal goals for others.
“As women, we are often taught to put everyone else first, to sacrifice, to please others and to carry the needs of those around us. But there comes a time when you have to choose yourself. Put yourself first. Know your worth,” said Preya Singh.
Singh advised learners and educators to "feed their own soul first so that you can be strong enough to serve and uplift others," and warned against yielding to peer pressure. She encouraged young women to pursue their dreams and to surround themselves with people who inspire growth.
Community effort and school leadership
The show was supported by a number of educators from the school. The source named three staff members who took part in the event: Thabisile Kunene, Kavisha Govender and Layle Cathey. Poolingam publicly thanked everyone involved in bringing the production together.
- Theme: unity of cultures and friendship
- Main elements: fashion, song and dance
- Participants: learners and educators from Pinetown Girls High
| Role | Named individuals |
|---|---|
| Student models | Danielle Mkhize; Rosetta Moloi; Mpumelelo Ngcobo |
| Organiser / educator | Terry Poolingam |
| Guest speaker | Preya Singh |
| Other educators | Thabisile Kunene; Kavisha Govender; Layle Cathey |
The evening blended celebration with a clear focus on personal development. Singh said choosing yourself is not selfish but an "act of self‑respect," and that knowing your worth allows others the permission to claim their own space and ambitions.
For parents and community members in Pinetown, events like the fashion show are visible reminders of the role schools play beyond classroom teaching: they provide forums where cultural expression, mentorship and life lessons intersect. The organisers described the night as one in which learners were encouraged to think independently and to make choices that reflect their personal values and goals.
While this was a school‑based event, its message has broader resonance for families and community groups across Pinetown, where many young people are navigating social pressures and forming the habits that will shape their futures. The fashion show organisers said they hoped the mix of performance and practical advice would leave learners more confident about making choices that support their long‑term ambitions.
Photographs from the evening show learners and staff enjoying the music and bright outfits as they walked the red carpet. The organisers expressed gratitude to everyone who helped stage the evening and to the audience members who attended.
Local schools often stage cultural and arts events during the academic year, and Pinetown Girls High’s fashion show is the latest example of how extracurricular activities can be used to reinforce positive messages about identity, self‑worth and community cohesion.
