Cape Town teenager Tashney Brandt's inspiring journey from blindness to Miss SA Teen finalist
A Cape Town teenager who was on the brink of losing her sight now has a new lease on life, and her first order of business is to dominate the upcoming Miss SA Teen competition.
Tashney Brandt, 15, from Delft, has defied the odds and, thanks to medical advancements, gets a second chance at life.
Speaking to IOL, her mother, Natasha Brandt, 45, said last year they discovered something was wrong when they were sitting with their daughter reading, and she was skipping lines in her writing and textbooks.
Tashney was taken to an optometrist for a routine eye test, but was referred to an ophthalmologist after a curve in her left eye was identified.
“We went to the ophthalmologist, who confirmed that it was the case, and she was sent to a specialist eye clinic in Bellville, where they discovered she was going blind in her left eye and the condition was slowly starting in her right eye.
“Telling a 14-year-old child she was going blind and the operation she was about to undergo was not a guarantee. The left eye would have an intensive operation and the right eye a laser treatment. She was quiet; she didn’t talk much. The news was devastating to us,” Brandt said.
The family immediately went into prayer and was full of hope that the operation on October 3, 2024, would be a success. After the procedures were done, Tashney was in severe pain, and there was no indication whether the operation was successful. The Grade 9 learner from Delft High School had to stay with patches on her eyes for weeks.
“Tashney had to drop out of school last year and repeat the year in 2025. The recovery was hard. I also had to stay home to care for her. She couldn’t go into the light and had to stay in a dark room. It wasn’t easy. She was in a lot of pain. Eventually, she recovered, and in January 2025, the doctor was pleased with her scans,” she said.
Brandt said her daughter also made her so happy when she uttered these words in March:” ‘You know Mom, it doesn’t look as if I am looking through a dirty window anymore. I can actually see far down the street.’
“I was amazed because this meant the operation was successful. At this time, she returned to school,” Brandt told IOL.
When entries for Miss SA Teen opened, and Tashney was adamant that she wanted to enter.
“She has always wanted to be Miss South Africa since she was young. When she told me she wanted to enter, I let her. In July, we were notified that she was a finalist. It’s not important for her to win, it’s about the experience and the journey. Tashney wants this more than anything else. My motivation as a mom is to stand by my child and let her go and stand beside her as she goes for her dream.
Speaking to IOL, an excited Tashney could not contain her excitement.
“I still cannot believe that I am a finalist. The feeling is so amazing, I always wanted to enter these competitions since I was small. But I was too shy and thought maybe I was not good enough. I watch Miss SA and Miss Universe, and I always told my mommy I would be Miss South Africa one day. I entered the competition this year because I finally have the confidence to do it,” she said.
Tashney explains how she has a new lease on life.
“When I went for the operation last year, I thought I would never see again, so it felt like my whole life was over. When I could see after the operation, I was grateful for everything and I decided I would do everything I always wanted to do. This is the biggest thing I wanted to do, so it will be the first thing I do, whether I win or not. If I win, I would like to encourage other teens to go for their dreams and never give up,” she told IOL.
The teenager, who wants to become a teacher when she grows up said she not only wants to impart knowledge on children, but also teach them to love themselves and always reach for the stars.
“My message to others: anything is possible when you try. Don’t be afraid. Beauty comes from inside, no matter who you are, where you come from, everyone is beautiful.”
Tashney will be headed to Brakpan in Johannesburg this Saturday, October 4, where she will be competing in the finals for the Miss SA Teen crown.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
IOL