Miss Gauteng Exclusive finalist 24-year-old Katlego Motseleng has not let her background determine her future.
She was born and raised in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, by her single mother after her father passed away when she was 12.
She is the first born child and has two siblings who look up to her.
Katlego said being raised by a single mother has made her the strong woman she has turned out to be.
“My mom was an adult basic education teacher, but she later lost her job. Even though she was unemployed she made sure that we never went to bed hungry,” she said.
“I have learnt to be independent and work hard because I saw my mother raising us on her own without being reliant on a man.”
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At school, she was one of the best students and was promoted from grade 11 to 12.
She passed matric with exemption in 2009 at Thepanang High School but she could not afford to go to university or college as her mother was unemployed.
“I applied for admission at Tshwane University of Technology, Nelspruit campus, in 2014 to study national diploma in marketing management. I also applied for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and by God’s grace, my application was successful,” she said.
“I wanted to study further but could not as I had the family to look after.”
Katlego is now a model and currently resides in Arcardia and works as a marketing administrator at Mafoko Security Patrols.
“My modelling career started in 2015 when I had my first photoshoot. From then I did fashion shows, Miss Tshwane North, Miss Bushbuckridge, Miss Midrand and TV ads as an extra. Modelling is my passion and I see it as a stepping stone,” she said.
She is currently a top 20 finalist in Miss Gauteng Exclusive which will take place on 28 October.
“I am super excited to be part of this amazing initiative.
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“Miss Gauteng Exclusive 2017 is in search of a youth ambassador to encourage and advance young women through leadership, entrepreneurship skills and education.
“This is one of the best and unique pageants that empowers women. Being part of the top 20 is amazing. I see doors already opening for me,” she said.
Finalists have been given tasks to prove why they should be crowned Miss Gauteng Exclusive 2017.
In April, she hosted an event with her friend Martha Shumba in Soshanguve, to encourage local children to consider modelling. They also donated books, food and clothes to the needy.
“My dream is to have an orphanage. But should I be crowned Miss Gauteng Exclusive 2017 I want to start an academy to mould upcoming models, boost their self-confidence and create a platform for those who want to become models but do not have access to information,” she said.
The beauty queen is an introvert who loves singing and dancing.
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