Newly crowned Miss Randfontein 2020/ 21, Refilwe Mangope, 24, said she hopes to make the town, district and province proud.
Refilwe was crowned last month at the Miss, Ms, Mr and Mrs Krugersdorp and Randfontein Pageants held at the Ekudeni Exclusive Country Venue in Muldersdrift.
“God gave me the strength and courage to be where I am today. Nothing is more important than offering your achievements to the One above,” she told the Herald.
But Refilwe already knows the ins and outs of pageants and modelling.
Some of her accolades include Miss West Rand Fun Fest (2014), Miss Face of Christmas (2015), Miss Heritage (2015), International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA) International Model Student of the Year top scorer (2015), and Miss Mogale City and Miss Photogenic (2016).
After winning her fair share of pageants, she hosted her own in 2016 – a Miss Itireleng pageant, to raise funds for the community of Mohlakeng. There were two categories: Miss Itireleng and Face of Itireleng. The former was for girls and women aged 14 to 25 who were able-bodied, and the latter included all ages and was for those with disabilities. The pageant was held at the Mohlakeng Recreation Centre and the funds raised from the event were used for the community.
In future this rising star would like to start her own foundation to give back to the community through pageants, as she did with her most recent efforts. She also has dreams of opening her own agency, however, the agency still needs to be registered.
She has thanked the community for their support throughout her journey.
“I’d like to thank the entire community at large for being with me throughout my journey until I made it to the Krugersdorp and Randfontein Pageants finals,” Refilwe said.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my mother, Moipone and my little sister, Reamogetse Mangope for constantly showing their unwavering support for me.
“To Janine van Loggerenberg Ferreira, director of Randfontein Beauty Pageants, I’d also like to thank you for presenting young ladies with opportunities of a lifetime, and your hospitality for a great night,” Refilwe said.