Mrs Mpumalanga winners ready for the task
Mokgatle said her immediate plan was to build the Mrs Mpumalanga brand and make it known throughout the province.
Winners and organisers of Mrs Mpumalanga have dispelled rumours that this year’s queen, Mrs Mash Mokgatle who was crowned over the weekend won the title before the actual crowning.
Speaking during a media briefing held at Emnotweni this morning, Mokgatle first princess Jene Smit said, “I understand why everybody wanted her to win in the first place, I had a privilege and an intimate time of working close with her during our preparations of the pageant and I feel honoured to be close to her in the competition as well
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Also read: Through the grapevine
“I am honoured and satisfied about her being the overall winner,” said the 27-year-old, Mrs Mpumalanga’s 2018 first princess.
Also read: Crowning of Mrs Mpumalanga 2017
Eulander Nanni who won the title of ambassador, concurred with Smit’s sentiments.
She adds that Mokgatle popularity and being a businesswoman made her to scoop the prize.
“We think it’s about popularity, Mash is also a known businesswoman, we cannot take that from her. She can also speak volumes for all for us – if she is a winner, she deserves it. The community chose her because of her work, her work followed her. I am glad to be part of this team and it’s going to be a powerful one,” said Nanni.
The pageant’s social media personality was won by Doreen Mdhluli.
Also read: Bianca Rennison Crowned Mrs Mpumalanga 2017
Mokgatle who is the first black woman to be crowned the overall winner of Mrs Mpumalanga since its inception 10 years ago said, “I think I am the first multiracial winner to accommodate all races and unite all racial groups in the province since I have relations in all races. This will be an opportunity to bring both private and government stakeholders and the media together.”
Talking about her victory, she said, “I have been very privileged to have served the community in different aspects, the biasness for me to win I think came from the place that if I win I can do even better. I have given it my everything,” she said.
Mokgatle said her immediate plan was to build the Mrs Mpumalanga brand and make it known throughout the province.
Among her list of programmes Mogatle lso work closely with Child Welfare in advocating matters of the organisation including issues of child trafficking. Her wish is to build a centre for abused children.
The outgoing Mrs Mpumalanga 2017, Bianca Rennison, wrote a congratulatory message to Mash on her Facebook page on November 4 immediately after her crowning.
“Congratulations to our new #MrsMpumalanga 2018 Mash Mokgatle! I am so proud to hand over my duties to such a deserving winner – your hard work paid off! To the first princess, Jene Smit, and second princess, Leanche Kleyn, you ladies looked amazing and your hard work did not go unnoticed!
Good luck on your journey with your new queen!To the entire panel of beautiful finalists you are all winners in my eyes, always wear your invisible crowns and strive for greatness because you all have big hearts and you should be proud that you made it thus far. This might be the end of my journey as Mrs Mpumalanga but I will continue to serve my community and be the difference.”
According to Mr Jacques Lombard the director of Mrs Mpumalanga Timeless Face SA, Namibia and South Africa, the pageant aims to support the ideals and attributes of today’s married woman – a woman who has inner beauty, outer beauty and a beauty she takes out into her everyday life as a wife that is sassy, sensual and smart.
“Our vision as Mrs Mpumalanga management team is to provide each and every finalist with an opportunity to discover their best selves and live to their full potential, so that they can also inspire other women in the province. To start this ripple effect we need the support of the community in various aspects,” Lombard stated.
