Strutting her stuff on world stages
This 16-year-old crown holder is setting international stages alight
POLOKWANE – Nyeleti Sketana (16) was recently crowned Miss Teen Galaxy International in Bulgaria, Europe.
BONUS had the opportunity to interview the young model after her return from the pageant. Nyeleti says she feels as if she has found her purpose in life and her strong personality and spirituality have kept her going in the tough world of modelling.
“I started modelling last year in February when I joined the Limpopo Beauty Modelling Academy. The academy helps me through everything and boosts my confidence. I am the person I am today because of the help that I received from the academy.
“I did my photo shoot, fashion shows, and I got booked to do modelling for other people, that I’ve never done before. Every time I used to watch Miss SA pageants, it was who I wanted to become,” she said.
She grew up in Tzaneen, Lenyenye with her grandmother and says it was an amazing time as her grandmother used to treat her as an only child.
“When I told my grandmother that I want to do modelling she said it’s not something black people do, especially ones from a rural area.
“My journey as a model has really built me, it has increased my confidence.
“I was still shy when I came to Polokwane last year to live with my mother. After starting modelling it was amazing.
“The first competition I won was Miss Galaxy SA in 2016 when I was 15, and it was great after the training and everything paid off.
“My second title was Miss Summer Glitz in 2017.
“I kept on trying until I won Miss Galaxy SA, which was amazing as I had to go to Bulgaria to compete there,” she says.
Nyeleti adds that being crowned Miss Teen Galaxy International means a lot to her, it really shows what she can achieve as a model, and has shown her that she is capable of doing great things.
“It is great to have an international title. When I left South Africa I was nervous because I didn’t know what to expect, but when I got there I found everyone was the same as me.
“My goal is to become a modelling teacher at a children’s home. I am motivated by the fact that my mother is a single parent and she is raising me and doing everything for me.
“That’s the main motivation I have which encourages me to keep on doing more to make her proud.”
She adds one challenge she came across in the modelling industry is she is in the spotlight and it feels as if everyone is waiting for her to make a mistake.
“You have to watch the way you speak, where you are going, the way you walk and everything you do. It’s a big challenge, but I tell myself that as long as my mother is proud and I am proud, and God is proud, I shouldn’t care what other people say about me.”
In terms of charity work she looks around areas such as schools and places that are in need, then asks them if there’s anything they require and helps them with donations where possible.
“I recently donated toiletries at Paledi and also went to Sebotse High School in Zebediela to donate chairs. Those are the charity events I’ve done and I’d like to do more to help less fortunate people,” she concludes.
