Felicia is on a mission to uplift the women of Gert Sibande District
She is a regular face at cooperate and municipal events where she is the Master of Ceremonies.
You might be led to believe her greatest asset is her beauty, but it is what lies beneath the surface that makes Ms Felicia Mkhaliphi a force to be reckoned with.
This woman is doing her best to uplift the women of her community.
With numerous feathers in her cap, she is a model, a businesswoman, philanthropist, ground breaker and a mother, and a whole lot more.
She and her brother own an events and printing company and she is the director of a non-profit organisation called the Gift of Love Project (GOLP).
They do everything they can to help disadvantaged girls and women between the ages of 13 and 35 by donating items needed for personal hygiene such as sanitary pads and tooth brushes.
Ms Mkhaliphi’s organisation also educates girls on personal hygiene and offers mentorship programmes so that the girls do not drop out of school due to their disadvantaged circumstances.
GOLP works with other organisations in and around Ermelo, putting emphasis on the importance of education and making sure young people understand the opportunities available.
Ms Mkhaliphi has travelled in and around the Gert Sibande District to give motivational talks.
Her modelling background has equipped her with the skills and the charisma to handle events as a Master of Ceremonies and is a regular face at corporate, drama and municipal events around the district.
Born in Ermelo, her family moved around the district, settling in Amsterdam and eventually coming back to Ermelo where she finished high school at Ligbron Academy of Technology.
She excelled in academics and sport and played netball and hockey. She obtained Mpumalanga colours and played for the provincial hockey team.
Ms Mkhaliphi is currently a dramatic arts student at the Duma Ndlovu Academy at the Joburg Theatre where she is taught by the best.
This mother of two-year-old Nkazimulo Lukhele finds it hard to juggle all on her plate, but with a great support system in her family and team manages to do it all.
“I am currently based in Johannesburg, but I travel regularly as my businesses are based in Ermelo,” Ms Mkhaliphi said.
It has been her upbringing that has made her humble and her father is a pastor at the Manasseh Apostolic Church in Christ.
This former second princess of the Miss Mamelodi Sundowns beauty pageant is testament that there is more to beauty than just the outside of a person.
Ms Mkhaliphi is not ashamed of her beauty queen background and is using it to her advantage to arm young girls of Gert Sibande District to fulfil their ultimate potential.
Her schedule will be packed as she embarks on various initiatives through her organisation with a programme on depression beginning in July.
Ms Mkhaliphi will also host a high tea in August during which GOLP will celebrate women from around the province during Women’s Month.
She lives by her motto that one can only achieve success through helping others.
