Tshwane girl close to making her dream a reality
The 15-year-old, however, needs to raise approximately R150 000 to travel with her mother and pay for other expenses involved to have an opportunity of realising her dream.
A 15-year-old Hammanskraal girl was excited to have an opportunity to represent South Africa in Miss Teen World Pageant in May this year in Bodrum, Turkey.
Lekgantse Mmotlana is the holder of Miss Teen Star International South Africa and Miss Teen Gauteng titles.
“I am grateful to be at this level because many people do not reach this far in modelling,” Mmotlana told Rekord.
She was speaking at her community outreach project at Tshwaraganang Community Development for Orphans facility in Hammanskraal on Saturday.
Mmotlana said her modelling career began in 2019 when she was 12. After contesting in several competitions and gaining exposure, she won both Miss Teen Gauteng and Miss Teen Star International in 2022. She won Miss Teen Star International South Africa and Miss Teen Gauteng titles in October and December last year respectively.
In the beginning, she doubted herself but her love for modelling kept her going.
“Receiving an opportunity to represent my country and compete at an international level is a dream come true. My goal is to win more titles and empower children.”
She said being chosen to represent the country has taught her that “fear is just a feeling, it will not prosper your dreams”.
“Keep dreaming and believing,” she added.
Her dream is to become Miss South Africa in the future and also be an entrepreneur.
During the community service exercise in the north of Pretoria, she handed over several needed goods at the orphanage centre.
The event also served as an opportunity for the disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged children to showcase their talents as they were competing in the music and dance categories.
The former Tshwane metro MMC for sports and recreation, Nozipho Makeke-Tyobeka urged the youth to prioritise education while developing their talents.
“Do not forget to take education seriously as it is important for you to have a successful future,” Makeke-Tyobeka said.
“Talent in sports, music, beauty pageant, among others, is not complete without a profession to rely on should anything go wrong,” she added.
Former SA president Nelson Mandela used to say “education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world”.
She said education is the key to a successful future.
“I support you my little girl and urge all South Africans to also rally behind you as you prepare to lift the South African flag high in an international competition.”
Mmotlana is excited to be chosen to represent the country in an international completion and possibly add her name to South Africans’ growing list of international winners.
The 15-year-old, however, needs to raise approximately R150 000 to travel with her mother and pay for other expenses involved to have an opportunity of realising her dream.
The trip to Turkey is not sponsored by any organiser and, therefore, it is the minor’s responsibility to raise the necessary money to attend the event including paying for flights, accommodation, meals, airport transfers, clothing as well as her mother who will be travelling with her.
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