MBOMBELA – She is determined to change the mindset of young girls, to teach them to believe in themselves in the midst of challenges which they may face.
This is what Natasha Dos Santos is going to focus on during her reign as Miss Mpumalanga 2014. During an exclusive interview with Mpumalanga News, the 22-year-old opens up and talks about her passion for young people. The humble, outspoken queen prefers to be called Tash.
Mpumalanga News: You come from an extremely humble background. How are you going to incorporate that in being an ambassador for the province?
Tash: I am passionate about young girls and I know I will be a relevant person to talk to many of them about never allowing their background to dictate how they should live their lives.
When I address them about something that I have experienced myself and how I have managed to rise, they will relate and take me seriously.
We used to survive on the money my mom would make from plaiting people’s hair. We would sometimes have pap and sugar with tea for dinner. So, if I tell a young girl that she does not need an older man to make it in life, she will easily believe me.
Mpumalanga News: You seem to be a very determined young woman. Does it have anything to do with your background?
Tash: I’m glad it has been noticed. I am definitely a strong person and I never allow any negativity to bring me down. Growing up, my mother used to preach to me that I should be comfortable in my own skin and not worry about what people said. It has taught me to embrace myself knowing that the situation will definitely change and I should remain myself.
Mpumalanga News: If you were to address young girls about beauty, how would you define it to them?
Tash: I would tell them that beauty has nothing to do with appearance as a person might lose it at any time. A person must be soulfully beautiful, give more and impact other people’s lives by loving them, not through looks. People will not remember a pretty person with an ugly heart, but they will undoubtedly remember a beautiful soul in a person.
Mpumalanga News: Now that you have been crowned Miss Mpumalanga, what are your goals during your reign?
Tash: It will be to use this period wisely in terms of changing the mindset of young people and I believe Zazi and MGB will allow me that platform to even talk to small children because I believe it is best to advise them from a young age. I’m also planning to represent my province during next year’s Miss SA pageant.
Mpumalanga News: Talking about Zazi, what are you planning to do that has not been done yet?
Tash: I believe in keeping young people occupied. A lot has been said and when they go home, these girls forget what has been said and they sometimes go back to their old ways. I would love to introduce sport, activity games, mind games, and so on, that would be sustained and keep them busy on a daily basis.
Mpumalanga News: You talk a lot about girls. What about the boys?
Tash: I wanted to come to that point. I believe in gender equality and in terms of impacting boys, I will take advantage of the MGB and educate them about the dangers of gambling because I have noticed that young boys in townships do so. I will also talk to them about drug abuse.
Mpumalanga News: What has been the greatest challenge factor since April 12?
Tash: Growing up I was a tomboy and now I have to dress up, wear make-up and high-heeled shoes. But I’m not complaining. I’m somehow falling in love with my feminine side.
