“You do not have to give up on yourself if you grow up in a shack, a township or on dusty streets. Dreams do not have a physical address.”
And this is exactly what Motshidisi Ratsoenen, a semi-finalist in the Mrs SA crowning, is doing – living her childhood dream. Little did she know when crowned as Miss Retumele at the age of 13, that it would be the start of her journey of inspiring women. Her message – if you value yourself, you can pursue your goals.
Motshidisi was born in the small Free State town of Vredefort, where she started her primary school career at Mokwallo Primary and then attended Boiphihlelo Secondary School till grade 10. With her mom working as a domestic worker in Germiston, she faced the reality of a child-headed home at a very young age. But, she never allowed it to stand in the way of what she wanted to become.
“Pity stories have an expiry date. You cannot use your background as an excuse or motivation,” she says.
When she later had the opportunity to move to her mom in Germiston, she matriculated there and was crowned the first princess for Miss Creations in Germiston in 2009, her matric year. Motshidisi studied BA Corporate Communication at the University of Johannesburg.
Two years ago, she married the love of her life, Kotsanai, after they met in the parking lot of the complex where they both used to stay. She invited him to a church service and “the rest was history,” she said with a smile during our interview when she visited Parys last weekend.
Motshidisi does the admin for Kotsonai’s logistics company in Johannesburg. Being a wife, a mother to her one-year-old, studying and working full day has taught her to schedule her priorities and not prioritise her schedule, she says.
Although she admits that all days are not perfect, a cup of Camomile tea before bedtime does wonders.
She is thankful for the amazing support of her mom and husband and calls the support system mothers have, the cheer- leaders in life. Her message to young women is never to forget that you only have you. “The body you have now is the only one you will have; look after it and never forget that emotional and mental health are equally important.”
But how did she come to enter for Mrs SA?
For Motshidisi, it was important to do things that spoke to her as an individual. “My biggest fear was not to be an inspiration to my child. I wanted to be a mother, confidently saying; ‘You can pursue anything you believe in and being the proof or example myself.’
With this belief, she sent in her online entry and, on 2 March, received the confirmation that she had been chosen as a semi-finalist in Mrs SA. The semi-finals are on 29 and 30 June, and 1 July.
For Motshidisi, the contest is so much more than winning a title. It is about embracing married women. It is not about looks, but encouraging sisterhood, to be confident of your abilities and to know that no matter where you come from or who you are, you can fly like an eagle.
You can now vote for Motshidisi by sending an SMS to 47587 with her name, Motshidisi Ratsoenen.
You can also follow the Mrs SA page on Instagram or Facebook and like and comment on her photo.
There is also an opportunity for local businesses to partner/collaborate with her and get exposure with her and the Mrs SA platform on events, social media and the website. Interested businesses can email her at mratsoenen@gmail.com. A truly inspirational young woman.
