Thabisile ‘Tabby’ Madondo (41) from Sea Park was recently selected as one of 100 Mrs South Africa 2023 semi-finalists.
Mrs South Africa is a leading pageant for married women, and according to the organisers, it comprises of fierce, phenomenal, and passionately beautiful women who represent the women of South Africa so well, especially in spirit.
Tabby is married to Mesatshwa Madondo and is a mother of three boys. She is a somatologist by profession, and recently qualified as a life coach.
“I was inspired to enter Mrs SA as it seeks to empower women. It’s not about beauty, but about what the contestants will do to help in the realisation of women empowerment programmes. It’s also an opportunity to bring the country’s focus to the South Coast. If it can produce a Mrs South Africa, surely a lot more can be achieved,” said Tabby.
She said as a businesswomen, she saw an opportunity to market the South Coast which is mainly a tourist area. “My business is about health and wellness, specifically for women and being part of the pageant offers me an opportunity to reach out to an even broader community.”
Tabby said her journey in the pageant has been challenging.
“Deciding to participate, particularly as a wife and mother was a difficult decision. I have been fortunate that my husband and children have been supportive. Going to Emperor’s Palace in Gauteng and returning as one of the semi-finalists was also another milestone.
“So far, I feel great about my decision. I have been exposed to so many things and have learnt a great deal since we started. My participation in beauty pageants only happened during my secondary school days. I won the Miss Marburg Secondary School, and winning Mrs SA will mean that I become the face of the pageant for 12 months.”
Prizes come with winning too. Tabby said the winnings will help profile her business and boost it with the much required growth.
“It will also provide me an opportunity to influence the industry to be more receptive to women entrepreneurs. My passion is about empowering the boy child, and winning this competition will give impetus to my campaign. As a member of Tetra Play, I hope to also use my winnings to positively campaign for funding to support the soccer initiative.”
To make it to the finals, the semi-finalists need to bring in silver sponsors to the value of R27,600. It can be one sponsor or up to four sponsors of R6,900 each. They are also required to participate in all events organised by the pageant; promote sponsors of the pageant by being a brand ambassador and posting on social media.
The finals will be held at Emperor’s Palace. The first-round elimination will be held in July where the Top 30 will be selected.
Support Tabby by voting for her – on Instagram like Tabby’s picture and follow the Mrs South Africa page; on Facebook like her picture and follow the Mrs South Africa page too and SMS “Tabby Madondo” to 47587 at R3 per SMS.
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