Local beauty queen to fly SA flag high in Singapore

The international stage is set for local model Atlegang Phukuntsi to proudly represent her home province and country during the Miss Tourism Worldwide 2019 pageant that will be held on Bakang Island, Singapore from 17 to 23 September.
Phukuntzi was recently crowned Miss Tourism Worldwide South Africa 2019.
The 18-year-old beauty who resides in Bendor was first listed in the top ten of Miss Teenager SA and this made it possible for her to fly the country’s flag high abroad. While many professional models find it difficult to win such big pageants, Phukuntsi said it was somewhat a walk in the park for her as she managed to impress the adjudication panel despite it being her first major competition.

The PEPPS Preparatory School and College alumnus will showcase various South African traditional outfits and dance moves as part of the contest in Singapore. She will be up against 29 other finalists, aged 17 to 33, from around the world in three categories namely talent performance, culture exchange and national costume. If she succeeds in outshining her opponents, Phukuntsi will be crowned Miss Tourism Worldwide 2019 ambassador. She revealed that she will depart on Sunday to familiarise herself with the venue and weather but reiterated that she was looking forward to the trip as this will be her first journey abroad.
The first year Somatology student at Isa Carstens Academy in Pretoria aspires to create her own affordable skincare range in the future as she believes that women in South Africa are goal driven and have the potential to achieve anything in life. Upon completion of the course, Phukuntsi will become a somatologist, someone interested in assisting others in improving their general wellbeing and aesthetic appearance through information and the practice of healthy lifestyle habits, product use and clinic treatments.
“Looking at the current statistics of women abuse and rape, I will use the Miss Tourism Worldwide title to establish a foundation that would aim at assisting victims of abuse. Crimes against women are on the rise in South Africa and I believe initiatives such as victim centres would help the unfortunate persons to heal and find closure. Using my beauty and brains for a worthy purpose has always been my dream but I had to focus on my secondary education first. The fact that I will be competing with older women is a bit intimidating but I am confident that I will do my best and bring the title home,” Phukuntsi said.
She went on to point out that there are two types of people in the world, those who try everything in their power to succeed and those who pull others down. She emphasised that she is among those who always strive for greatness with the intention of making a difference. Phukuntsi added that the competition was not going to be easy but with the support she has been getting from the national director of Miss Teenager SA, Kat Ncala and her family and friends, she will definitely break a leg and make both Limpopo and the country proud.

Story/photo: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za