New Mrs Africa hopeful of spreading hope
PARKTOWN – New Mrs Africa pageant winner crowned and she is hopeful that she can be an inspiration to women everywhere.
Only three months after gracing the African High Tea event stage at Moyo Zoo Lake, the then Mrs Africa 2018 finalist, Lucinda Pietersen, is now the new African beauty queen.
The 32-year-old’s seven-month-long journey to the Mrs Africa stage ensured that she was crowned the Mrs Africa 2018 pageant winner and Mrs Globe 2018 finalist on 4 November, ahead of the international Mrs Globe pageant next year – the world’s most prestigious pageant for married women. The 12 months will, however, see Pietersen engaged in charity work, coupled with a number of fundraising initiatives as part of her Mrs Globe 2018 campaign.
Delegates in the following categories – Miss Africa (18 – 25 years: single); Ms Africa (25 – 60 years: single/ divorced/ widowed/ engaged); Mrs Africa (25 – 44 years: married) and Mrs Africa Classic (45 – 60 years: any marital status) – were judged on their video portfolios showcasing their journey as a finalist, their evening gowns, interviews and national outfits portraying their authentic or African heritage.
The four main category winners, crowned with one-of-a-kind copper and Swarovski crystal crowns and encrusted sashes, were Casey Leigh de Witt (Miss Africa 2017); Angie Bryant (Ms Africa 2018 ); Lucinda Pietersen (Mrs Africa 2018 ) and El Gosling (Mrs Africa Classic 2018).
“I had no idea that this is where I’d be today,” Pietersen told the paper.
“When you have gone through as much as I have, you kind of don’t expect things like this to happen. I really just wanted to be the voice for the voiceless. Since then, my journey has been absolutely remarkable.”
Pietersen said meeting women from different walks of life, each with a unique story to tell, has been one of the highlights of her journey as a Mrs Africa finalist. “I’ve met some women who have gone through some of the worst possible things in terms of abuse – emotionally, physically and sexually. When I shared my story with them, the reception I received from them was absolutely priceless.”
She added, “Being crowned is absolutely remarkable…I was filled with so much emotion when that moment came. It finally dawned on me during that moment that everything that I’d set out to do, from the word go, had come to fruition. I can now be the hope that women need. They can look at me and see hope.”
Related stories:
New Miss SA crown unveiled ahead of pageant
Changing lives one pageant at a time
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