Mabopane beauty in Mrs SA top 24

Tumi Matshego from Mabopane has made it to the top 24 finalists of the Mrs SA pageant. She will now compete in the finals in August.

She told Record she was determined to win the title, as it would better enable her to better carry out her aim of empowering the disadvantaged from rural areas through education and skills development. “Most rural schools do not have career guidance teachers or the reading material necessary for them to make wise career choices and choose tertiary institutions. Some of them feel that high school it is the end of the road for them. Some get to tertiary institutions and apply for courses, but end up not finishing because they did not choose what they are passionate about,” she said.

Matshego added that she would like to run workshops and seminars to encourage other successful professionals who come from similar backgrounds to become involved in their communities and become mentors and role models to the children.

The 33-year-old mother of two is a director at a recruitment company in Theresa Park. She said her professional experience put her in the ideal position to provide career guidance. “South Africa doesn’t have enough nurses, accountants, mining professionals and engineers. As Mrs South Africa, I would encourage companies to invest in students who would otherwise not fulfil their dreams of studying further and, therefore, end up resorting to drugs and crime. This platform will open doors for me and encourage others to make a difference to those who are less fortunate,” she stressed.

The Mrs South Africa beauty pageant gives married women across the country an opportunity to make a positive change in society. It is headed by former beauty queen Joani Johnson.

The 24 finalists were announced at the annual Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) gala dinner at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park recently. Matshego appealed to Mabopane residents to support her in her quest to win the competition. She said finalists were required to raise money to help fight cancer in the country and appealed to potential sponsors to help her. Last year, the pageant and finalists raised about R300 000 for Cansa.

To support Matshego, go to the MrsSA page on Facebook and like her pictures, or follow her on Twitter @tumimatshego. For sponsorship to raise the funds for cancer, send her an email at tumie@hotmail.co.za.