POLOKWANE – The matric farewell is one event most Gr 12 girls look forward to and from as early as Gr 8 girls start dreaming about their dresses, shoes and at some stage, even the date.
When the time arrives for the dress to be chosen, reality kicks in and many girls have to settle for so much less than they dreamt of as dresses are expensive.
Realising this problem and remembering their own dreams at that age, Irene Schempers, Mrs Polokwane 2017, and Erika Mengouchi, fashion designer, joined hands and decided to give three girls in the city the opportunity to have their dream dress and dream farewell with a competition.
Maphari Sebata from Capricorn High School was chosen as one of these winners. In her entry-letter she explained how it happened that she entered on the very last day of the competition.
“As we all know, Gr 12 is an important grade and year in high school life, academically and entertainment wise. This year is our matric dance. When I first told my mother about this, she seemed as excited as I was. Until I started doing my research and found out the different prices all together. She told me she really wished I could go but with such big amounts of money, she couldn’t afford it. I want to win this prize because going to the matric dance has been my dream since Gr 9. Seeing those beautiful girls in different dresses made me want to look like them, young and beautiful. They inspired me to study hard to get to Gr 12 and have the opportunity to go to the matric dance. Winning such a prize will allow me to inspire other young girls to study hard to get to where I am, to follow their dreams and to know the sky should not be their limit. With this prize, I will be an inspiration, a light and a motivation.”
Maphari’s dress will be designed and made by Mengouchi Haute Couture, her hair will be done by Linda Wentzel from La Paz Hair Salon and her makeup will be done by Sadia Latib.
“I look forward to the evening, I am very excited,” an elated Maphari told Review.
maretha@nmgroup.co.za
