“I hope Mrs South Africa will give me the platform to discuss issues with the youth and to make a difference in my community,” she said.
“I also want to use this platform to uplift young girls and women all over South Africa.”
Thembisile added that Mrs South Africa is a competition for mature, married women, who have a lot of stories to tell, while Miss South Africa is for young, ambitious women who don’t have children and are not married.
She was initially not interested in modelling, but after her cousin talked her into entering a few competitions she developed a passion for it.
She has won a number of titles: Miss Etwatwa 2000, Miss Bahlabane 2003, Miss Y2k KwaThema 2000, to name just a few.
On March 27, 2004, she married Lucky Nhlanhla Mnguni and they have two children, Nolwandle (8) and Mpilwenhle (4).
She attended Willowmead High School in Lenasia and is currently corresponding through Unisa to attain her LLB qualification.
Her words of motivation for the youth are: “Bumping into walls is a part of life, so stay true to yourself and believe in your dreams, even when no one believes in you.”
Thembisile urges the public to vote for her by SMSing, Thembisile to 35959.
SMSes are charged at R3.
She has been challenged by the Mrs South Africa organisers to raise R5 000 in aid of the Cansa foundation by March 31, and to sell at least 10 tickets for the Cansa ball that will be held at Emperors Palace, by April 7.
For more information on how you can help her with the challenge, contact her on 076 252 7794.