Sandton Mrs SA finalist talks women empowerment
MORNINGSIDE - INSPIRED to empower women through her role in the limelight, Rene Roberts-Patel is proudly representing her hometown of Mitchell’s Plain in the Western Cape as a finalist in the Mrs South Africa pageant.
The Morningside resident was named as one of the top 25 finalists in the pageant, adding another feather to her impressive record.
Roberts-Patel, a 38-year-old mother of two, explained why she entered the beauty contest.
“A friend of mine who was once a finalist in the Miss SA pageant, jokingly said that we should enter this pageant together and after doing some research of my own, I thought why not and decided to enter,” she said.
She added that she was not nervous about taking part in the pageant because she had entered several pageants before. Roberts-Patel said despite her beauty, entering pageants was never about showing off her sizzling looks, but was rather an opportunity to improve herself.
“Growing up I would enter various pageants and use the money I got from winning to fund my business ventures. Now when I enter pageants such as Mrs South Africa, I do it to empower others.
“I believe in women empowerment and encouraging all women to do more than the expected, and especially for married women, to achieve their dreams.”
Indeed, Roberts-Patel lives up to that mantra, running her own business ventures and working closely with Read to Rise, a literacy organisation close to her heart. She hopes to play her part in improving literacy rates among pupils.
The bubbly beauty concluded by saying that the most important thing for her was to make her family and friends proud, and to set a positive example for all women.
The Mrs SA pageant will take place in October at Emperor’s Palace.
Details: Mrs South Africa Facebook page or @renerp2
