Ms Joanita Visser from Secunda is a runner-up in the Magnificent Women International (MWI) Southern Africa beauty pageant that was held in Mumbai, India, last month.
Part of the competition included the number of online votes contestants accumulated over the period of the competition. A contestant from India won the beauty division.
According to the votes, Ms Visser had the second highest votes. She thanked her supporters for keeping her in the run.
This 20-year-old education student from Secunda said no matter the outcome, she believes all the contestants to be magnificent women worthy of winning. She wowed the judges with the unique outfit that she wore to represent South Africa.
“I am thankful for the chance to take part in the competition. It was an unforgettable experience and I have learned a lot. There were tough times and good times, and even during the times when I felt like giving up, I managed to still push through because of the amazing role models we had.”
Ms Visser believes God has sent her to the pageant for a purpose.
Also read: Nomfundo and Benton wear the crowns
“I think it was to teach me the character that it takes to be a magnificent woman. What mattered the most were the moments that will be treasured forever. When we enter a pageant, we sign up to sometimes get our backsides kicked. We can choose courage or we can choose comfort, but we cannot have both – not at the same time.”
Ms Visser quoted Brené Brown, saying: “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage.”
The Mumbai contest is not the end of Ms Visser’s MWI pageant participation. She has already been chosen as Miss MWI Mpumalanga SA to compete in Las Vegas next year.
For free daily local news in the South, visit our sister newspapers Highvelder, Standerton Advertiser
For more news and interesting articles, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram
