Berlina Lekgethwane, 35, from Phadi in Ramokokastad, outside Rustenburg, North West, will compete against scores of other aspiring queens at the finals of the Mrs South Africa beauty pageant.
The Mrs South Africa beauty pageant accommodates models that are already married with or without children and are between the ages of 25 and 55. The pageant also offers married women and mothers an opportunity to celebrate their beauty and skills.
Lekgethwane, who is also a government spokesperson, describes herself as a go-getter and said her participation in the competition is aimed at proving a point that anything is possible and she will use the opportunity to motivate those who are poor to help and develop their communities.
“I’m excited to announce that I’m one of the semi finalists in the Mrs South Africa 2023, which is going to be a one year program of community development. I grew up in Ramokokastad in Phadi, a small village, full of potholes and lacking road infrastructure.
“Growing up in a small village of Phadi, I had always had a passion and a calling for community development, that is why every year in December, I put aside everything and go back to my village to plough back.
“I’m an educational activist, a graduate and normally wear my graduation belt and visit creches just to bless the kids and motivate them, in order to make sure that they know that being a rural girl or boy, nothing should deter you from becoming what you want.
“I believe that such a platform is of assistance in telling people to not feel pity for themselves just because they are from a rural area. I entered Mrs South Africa simply because when I was 16-years old, I tried to enter the Miss SA Teen pageant, but I would always arrive late as I was using public transport, so I failed to make the cut” said Lekgetwane.
The reigning Mrs South Africa is Palesa Matjekane who was crowned at a glittering ceremony in Joburg in November last year.
