Franale Holder is Guyana’s newest Miss Emancipation, but she is much more than just a beauty queen. Firmly grounded, this 24-year-old entrepreneur manages her own catering business: Franale’s Creole Kitchen. She is also certified in basic First Aid and CPR.
Franale was born in Guyana, but grew up between Guyana and Suriname and apart from English, is also fluent in Dutch and Sranan Tongo, a creole language spoken by most people in Suriname.
In Suriname she lived in Paramaribo, the capital, in a community she described as middle-class, with friendly, heart-warming people who eventually became great customers. Franale’s business started early as while growing up she learned to make custard icicles and sold them.
Franale also helped take care of her siblings so she rarely went out to play. In her household books were always most important. In Guyana her father was a teacher in Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara. It was in Guyana that Franale and her siblings had loads of fun when they had spare time. Franale enjoyed the Queh Queh celebrations (African cultural celebrations) and the games she played at church, such as “Drop it Peter Boy!” To her both Guyana and Suriname were unique and exciting; both places were home.
Guyana’s reigning Miss Emancipation has a family that is grounded in African traditions. “I managed to absorb their positive life lessons like a sponge… Let us just say I was always one to ask questions and my parents did their best to answer every question,” she remarked.
After a busy month of emancipation celebrations and representing her crown, Franale does not have a specific platform just yet, as she is exploring all aspects of African culture. Her initial interest in joining such a cultural pageant was to just that. She does however have a few projects and ideas in her head to work on during her one-year reign, which began on July 24 this year.
She told The Scene that her interest in the Miss Emancipation Pageant was actually sparked by my cousin Sussan who encouraged me to start in 2009. She had been crowned twice and it seemed like a rewarding and fulfilling quest for her and my curiosity got the best of me. Besides that I got tremendous support from many persons who encouraged me to sign up as a contestant.”
Franale expanded that her cousin “sold the experience she had to me, the lessons on rich African history, the attire, food etc. Things that had puzzled me for years in African history and culture were finally explained in detail… I was naturally interested.”
I saw the difference the pageant made in the lives of young girls whom I did not even know, she said. They looked up to me because I was and still am outspoken and true to who I am and that is a perfectly imperfect young woman. “The pageant was aiming to identify part of who I am and where I came from, stemming from my ancestral foundation and those were very valid reasons that prompted my entry,” she added.
As to whom Franale in turn looks up to, she said: “Although I admire a lot of people, the only idols in my book are my siblings. They have helped me through so many hard times by simply showing me love and being their usual silly selves.”
Miss Emancipation Pageant promotes African culture and assists in grooming young women who are prepared to handle impromptu interviews; Franale is one such example.
To her emancipation means “freedom to live and let live and freedom to express and live as the person you truly are… having value systems that are in sync with that of my African ancestry and identity.
“Ideas flow to me every day. I have a few projects under way so all will soon be revealed. I am excited about this venture, this reign and I will use my influence to the best of my abilities.”
Franale’s social life is hectic. Some of her hobbies are reading, singing, dancing, modelling, writing music and rapping as well as go-kart racing.
Some of her past awards and accreditations include: 1st runner-up in Miss Guyana Earth where she was given the title Miss Guyana Fire and 1st runner-up in Miss Culture Swimwear in Charles Town, St Kitts and Nevis.
Career-wise, she is torn between going to flight school and studying adult psychology. Her dream is to become a sought-after female musician/rapper/song and script writer/entrepreneur. As a back-up career, she plans to study either of the above education choices or continue her food business and start a franchise.
She would love to get married to her current boyfriend and have beautiful children.
“I would like to tell those who stand out and are unique to keep striving for success through the storm, for hard labour bear the good fruits and always remember love is life and life is love,” she said.
