Mulbarton’s own Miss Commonwealth finalist

MISS Commonwealth South Africa is looking for the next Miss Commonwealth South Africa title holder and Mulbarton’s own Justine Danielle Barger has her eyes set on the prize.

Justine shines bright and beautiful as one of the 30 finalists in this year’s competition. Having no pageant interest growing up, Justine was intrigued by the Commonwealth title and what these strong women stood for.

Justine’s mother, Heather Barger, owner of 27 Red Stage Line Professional in Mulbarton, is also her make-up sponsor and played an important role in her being a Miss Commonwealth finalist.

“My mum sponsored many women previously, one of them being involved in the pageant. At the time I assisted my mum to do her hair and that was when my interest in this pageant grew. I asked many questions and researched it myself and that was when I entered,” said Justine.

The 23-year-old plans on completing her studies this year with outstanding achievements and plans on teaching next year. With her passion being women and mostly teenagers, Justine sees this pageant as a platform to empower young women and impact the communities she encounters.

“I believe that Miss Commonwealth is a platform for me to encourage and speak into the lives of girls and women and to inspire and encourage them to be great and then far greater than what they could ever imagine,” said Justine, who was announced as one of 30 finalists earlier in August.

Justine holds her degree in psychology and performing arts and majoring in musical theatre at the University of Witwatersrand. She is currently completing her post-grad certificate in education and aims to one day be a drama teacher. On the road to the finals she is busy securing sponsorships from businesses that are willing to get on board to raise money for various charities.

The bright beauty will be hosting a few fund-raisers before the grand finale on November 12 and is hoping for the support of the community and local business that will come together to support a good cause.

The family-orientated finalist comes from a hard-working family with two younger brothers, Kyle (21) and Cameron (19) who are studying at the University of Pretoria. Justine spoke to the CHRONICLE saying that she admires her hard-working parents who sacrifice much for them to have everything that they have in life. Her dad, Gordon, is in the medical industry.

“My ultimate goal is to help better the lives of the people in my community; winning Miss Commonwealth will just be an added bonus. I one day wish to help equip teenagers to be good adults and leaders as they are impressionable and vulnerable,” she said.

“I have completed six weeks of teaching experience and after all the studying and with the pageant one has to find a way to balance every aspect of life,” said the ex-pupil of Harvest Christian School, Redham House, Waterstone College and Woodlands International College.

Miss Commonwealth empowers women with the knowledge to bring about change to communities in need. Through the pageant the main focus is the internal and external development of young women in South Africa. The organisation held a two-day workshop for the finalist at Wits University senate room.

“I have never been involved in pageants but I am really excited for this opportunity. I have grown passionate about helping young girls and women who find themselves in that place of worthless defeat, to realise their beauty and worth. To help those women who have been sexually, verbally and physically abused, both young and old, to find a new confidence in who they are and to find the strength to love who they are and the drive to become the woman they dream to be,” she said.

Through the Miss Commonwealth South Africa Pageant, a platform is created for women to become charity ambassadors touching lives and making a difference in our country. This is also a stepping stone for young women to follow their dreams.

The title holders become involved in charitable causes and uphold the aims and objectives of the Commonwealth. This includes racial harmony, poverty eradication and social cohesion.

“It is our duty as a community to assist young women by creating opportunities for them and also to give them space to be role models that are committed to serve the needs within society,” said Miss Commonwealth South Africa national director, Ngawethu Ka-Siphiwo.

Justine says many things that we all can learn from. “I find myself today in a place where I believe I am worthy, loved and precious beyond comprehension and measure. We have been given hands and feet to go out and make a change in our world, how selfish are we to ever think that anything we have is for our own benefit. We are merely vessels used to impact and invoke change in our communities and in the lives of those we have the privilege of connecting with.”

For more information visit https://www.misscommonwealth.co.za/

For updates and news, follow Miss commonwealth South Africa on Facebook: Miss Commonwealth South Africa.

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