Sarnia beauty represents KZN in pageant
The ecstatic Sibongile told the Highway Mail that she was very grateful for this opportunity and feels like she has won already.
SIBONGILE Ndawo Engel, from Sarnia, is one of the 16 semi-finalists for Mrs Universe South Africa.
The Sarnia resident is the only one representing KwaZulu-Natal and said she was ecstatic to have made it so far in this competition.
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The wife and mother of four said she began her modelling career when she was in Standard 6 (Grade 8) and has always wanted to participate in a national pageant.
That dream seemed to be fading away but at the age of 39, that dream is coming true. “People should never stop believing in their dream. Dreams delayed are definitely not dreams denied and I truly believe that and people should never lose hope,” she said.
One would think being a pastor’s daughter would have put Sibongile off modelling as a career.
“My father was the most supportive one and my mother was the strict one who was not impressed at all with my modelling. My dad would take me to competitions and I received a lots of support from my high school teachers who still support me to this day as my eldest daughter attends the same school as I did,” explained Sibongile.
She said she adapts easily to new surroundings and people as when she was growing up, they moved a lot and stayed in different parishes.
“I can relate to many people, I am familiar with rural, township and suburban life.”
For the humble Sibongile, modelling has helped her a lot with gaining confidence. “My wish is to encourage other women to trust their abilities. I am so happy with this opportunity, I feel like I have won already.
“I have won many pageants when I was young and not being able to compete in national pageants did not make me to push my children to take up modelling as I never wanted to live my life through my kids.”
She will be working a lot with the Open Door Crisis Centre and said she is looking forward to working with women.
“I hope I will be able to assist abused women get out of toxic relationships before it gets out of hand. Many women are abused daily and we need to fight it on a daily basis not just on certain days or when something drastic happens,” she said.
One of her duties as a semi-finalist is to raise funds and get sponsors.
“Mrs Universe South Africa pageant is a very classy event and contestants have been treated like royalty since the journey started. I am truly thankful to have been chosen as a semi-finalist,” added Sibongile.
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