Unlike most 12-year-olds, Raynaldo Bredenkamp always knew he wanted a seat on one of the biggest platforms in the world, the pageant industry, and his dream was accompanied by a solid plan.
Growing up in Kariega as a pre-teen with a business idea, Bredenkamp was often thought to be insane or overly ambitious. People in his community took one look at him, as a young child, and did not believe that he could make it. However, as fate would prove; leadership knows no age.
“I knew what I wanted, and I went to go get it. In 2009, with no funds and only three months before the first pageant was due to take place, I drafted my very first sponsorship letter and approached councillors and businesses with my idea,” Bredenkamp said. “To my surprise, I was taken aback by the amount of support I got from these successful people who took the time out to listen to a kid’s business idea. It was like a dream that I just did not wish to wake up from. From that very first moment, this organisation has grown from strength-to-strength, with the belief that one act of random kindness at a time can change the world of a young person filled with dreams and huge aspirations,” he added.
Over the 15 years they have been in operation, R Model Management & Agency has given birth to the following registered pageants: Uitenhage’s Next Top Model, Port Elizabeth’s Next Top Model, Eastern Cape’s Next Top Model, Regional Miss Mandela Bay, National Miss Mandela Bay, as well as Mr and Miss Inter Community. This year the agency will be adding to the list the Mr and Miss Inter- School Nelson Mandela Bay Pageant.
“This pageant will be a huge game changer within the schools of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Each representative selected from their various schools will be issued with a task of charity work that they must complete with assistance from their school teachers and fellow learners. With the charity project each school will run, both the school itself, and the community will benefit,” Bredenkamp explained. The pageant will take place in June 2024, and will be an annual event where each year, schools will select their representatives. The training includes interview skills, public speaking and grooming to name a few.
Additional to their plans, R Model Management & Agency has also recently opened its modelling school at the Rosedale Indoor Sport Centre, as well as a second one for Dalrose Primary School.
“People think pageants are all about the glitz and glam, but they actually are not. There is so much more to pageant, and I believe our young ones are in need of pageant services. Modelling comes with a great sense of responsibility and accountability. It teaches young boys and girls about respect, discipline, grooming, how to become a leader, it teaches you about your self-worth, and so much more.
I used to be very shy, but look at me today. I have been an MC and a guest speaker at numerous events, and I have become so confident,” the reigning Sir Eastern Cape Runner Up 2024 said.
When it comes to hitting the ground running, the Kariega-based modelling agency seems to have cracked the code. Bredenkamp excitedly shared that this year they were also fortunate enough to be able to launch their very first pageant magazine, which is aimed at allowing models, entrepreneurs, small business owners, schools, and churches the opportunity to advertise their services for free throughout the celebration of their 15th anniversary.
Bredenkamp concluded,
