Young model already making industry waves
The young beauty queen, Refilwe Malatji (11), has only been modelling since 2013, but she is already making waves in the industry with her beauty and wits
POLOKWANE – Review Bonus had the opportunity to get an interview with the young model before she went off to Georgia in Eastern Europe to compete in the Mr and Miss Galaxy pageant which takes place from 1 to 8 April.
The first beauty pageant she competed in was the Miss Savannah competition in 2013 when she was nine years old, unfortunately she didn’t win any titles.
“I felt disheartened after the competition, but decided to keep on trying. One of my friends was a model and I was inspired to become one as well. I participated in several pageants following the Miss Savannah pageant and I managed to bag my first title during the Miss SPCA Mokopane pageant when I was announced as second princess. This reignited my passion for modelling,” Refilwe explains.
Refilwe started her modelling career at Bella Donna Finishing and Modelling School and later moved over to Limpopo Beauty Modelling Agency, where she is one of Katryn Barwise’s students. Barwise won the Miss Limpopo 2012 crown and was announced as Miss Humanity 2014.
Refilwe won the first princess title during the Polokwane Show pageant and her most recent title is the Miss and Mr Royal beauty pageant where she won the title for second princess. She also received titles for Miss Congeniality, Miss Personality, Best Hair and Best Smile.
“One of the best parts of being a model is that you get an enormous confidence boost when you get onto the catwalk and it is a fun experience. One of the downsides is having to sometimes wear uncomfortable dresses or shoes.”
Refilwe’s father, Isaac, says it is no surprise to him that she is so passionate about modelling as she has a bubbly and outgoing personality.
“She has always loved the limelight and engages everyone she comes into contact with. She loves to take part in storytelling projects at school and is a real extrovert who is very confident in her own abilities,” her father explains.
Refilwe attends school at Pemps and enjoys window shopping and going to the movies. She is an active young people and is part of the tennis and swimming teams at school. Her academic grades are of the highest quality and she hopes to study gynaecology after school as she loves babies.
In the Miss and Mr Galaxy pageant in Georgia she will take part and be judged in three categories: Iceland Wear, High Fashion and National. Local fashion designer, Erika Mengouchi, designed her dresses for the Iceland Wear and High Fashion categories.
