These titles - awarded by Pageant SA – are not his first taste of success. Two years ago, he was crowned Mr Universal South Africa 2018 and Face of South Africa 2018.
Starting his journey
His journey in pageantry began in 2011 when the owner of a talent academy discovered him. The more competitions he participated in, the more his passion for pageants grew. Some of the pageants he has entered are Mr Teen Potchefstroom, Mr Teen Promosa and Mr Teen Ikageng.
Daniel grew up in Nigeria and moved to South Africa with his family in 2005. His father is a professor of entomology at the University of Limpopo and his mother is a postdoctoral fellow in industrial psychology on the NWU’s Vanderbijlpark Campus.
Taking the lead
He is deeply involved in youth development (see first text box below) and has played leadership roles at various organisations.
At the NWU, these roles include head of finance for Students Advocating Leadership and Transformation (focusing on student health, social and academic matters), service director for the Golden Key chapter, and brand ambassador and head of marketing for Enactus NWU (an international organisation that promotes entrepreneurship).
In addition, he has served as project leader for the Student RAG Community Service and is a former executive member of the Student Representative Council.
Daniel is also taking the lead as fundraising director for the SA Board for People Practices and is involved in leadership roles in various charities.
The future awaits
The Sir SA pageant crowning was done virtually due to Covid-19 regulations. The winners will now represent their titles and South Africa at the many international competitions to which Pageants SA is affiliated.
With his personal motto “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”, Daniel will be working in his community during the next 12 months, making a difference to others.
In his free time, he enjoys playing chess, dancing, mentoring, travelling and implementing youth drives.
Making a difference, one chess piece at a time
As one of the best chess players at the NWU, Daniel recently hosted a successful online chess tournament to raise funds for a sanitary products drive. (Click here to read more about the tournament.)
Daniel, who is deeply involved with youth development, will be working in his community during the next 12 months.
Daniel Asiwe, a final-year industrial psychology and labour relations student at the Potchefstroom Campus, has been crowned as Sir SA 2020 and Face of South Africa 2020.
DRIVEN BY A PASSION FOR PEOPLE
MORE ABOUT THE PAGEANT
Driven by a passion for people
Daniel is always on a mission to give back to the community in whatever way he can, and is passionate about the future of the youth.
- He has been involved in several projects at high schools in the Potchefstroom area, including motivational talks, leadership programmes and academic assistance to boost learners’ marks so that they can apply for bursaries. He has also organised several events where young people can showcase their talents, encouraging them to take time to invest in their craft and believe in themselves.
- Daniel does not shy away from rolling up his sleeves and putting his back into tasks such as clearing out school grounds and painting walls, donating sanitary products, organising a CANSA Relay For Life event, handing out food and clothing and advocating against the abuse of women.
- For his current project, he wants to raise over R150 000 for a three-year supply of reusable sanitary ware to over 500 disadvantaged households across the country.
More about the pageant
Pageants SA was founded in 1999 by Carolyn Baldwin who wanted to host socially responsible pageants that are also fair and honest for the contestants.
Over the past 21 years, over the more than 8 000 Pageant SA winners have participated in over 500 000 charity events that have assisted over four million people.
This pageant is a bit different from the rest. The winners in each age category, together with their runners up, are given titles that create a platform for involvement in charity and community work.
This includes visiting the sick and elderly in hospital, AIDS homes, children’s and old age homes, as well as attending fundraising events.
Click on each button to read more in the text box below.
MEET SIR SA:
a true philanthropist at heart