Miss Boksburg is a Springsite at heart

Matshidiso Mokgotho (24), the newly crowned Miss Boksburg, has her roots in Springs.
The local beauty attended Selcourt Primary School and Springs Girls’ High School.
She holds a BCur degree in nursing science from the University of Pretoria and works as a nurse at the Stanza Bopape Community Health Centre in Mamelodi, Pretoria East.
• How and why did you get into pageantry?
I’ve always had a passion for pageantry, especially the concept behind beauty with a purpose.
Growing up, it always amazed me as to how one could balance beauty, intelligence and humility.
I wanted to strive to be just that.
• How has it helped you in your daily life?
“Because I’m a professional nurse, I’ve dedicated my life towards serving others which is part of my daily duties.
Becoming Miss Boksburg, however, has enlightened that by granting me the opportunity to lead, view issues from a different perspective and combine health care with global social issues.

Also read: Local beauty aims to inspire

• What are misconceptions people have about beauty queens?
Tall, slender and beautiful have always been what the world perceived as the ideal characteristics of a beauty queen.
Honestly, I’m a firm believer that beauty actually originates from within and that physical attributes cannot and do not substitute the social, intellectual and emotional capabilities required to lead and inspire.
• What has been your experience on the road to winning Miss Boksburg?
Miss Boksburg was my first pageant and my aim was to mostly learn and grow from the experience.
I always tried my uttermost best to push myself and work hard.
In doing so, I met such beautiful and inspiring young women who carried me throughout the journey.
I stayed true to who I was, never gave up and ensured I learnt from my mistakes.
• How did you feel the moment you realised you had won?
It was such a surreal moment.
I really couldn’t believe my name had just been called and all my hard work had finally paid off.
I couldn’t believe I was the chosen one to represent and now lead by example.
The best part of it all was the look on my parents’ faces.
I knew I had made them proud and that exact moment meant the world to me.

Also read: Zané Barnard dispels the beauty queen myths

• What would you like to achieve during your reign?
As a young female in this country, we are faced with a variety of challenges on a daily basis.
I believe through general awareness, positivity and the spirit of ubuntu we can overcome anything.
I want to encourage, empower, inspire, lead by example and ensure all the dream chasers out there know and believe it’s possible and their dreams are valid.
• What is one small/simple thing each of us can to do make the lives of others better?
I strongly believe in the ubuntu philosophy as a caring ethic.
It speaks highly of wholeness, humility and oneness, which I regard as crucial life values.
I believe if each and every one of us could adopt this mentality, the world would be a better place.

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