Shoneez Miles (19) was born and bred in Westbury and made it as a Miss Jozi 2017 Top 20 finalist.
Miles matriculated from Westbury High in 2015 and passed with a distinction in maths literacy, she struggled to get into university due to a lack of finances but she did not give up.
In her second year after completing her schooling, she entered the workplace so that she could save up to pay for her own tuition. This year she got herself into college and explored her other passion, modelling.
Miles entered Miss Jozi 2017 and out of 500 entrants, she made it as a top 20 finalist.
“I am really proud of myself, it’s the first competition that I’ve ever entered and gone so far in. It’s really amazing,” said Miles.
She studies Information Technology (IT) at the Richfield Graduate Institute but plans to also complete a Media Studies qualification after she breaks the IT codes.
“My other passion is modelling, I’m into the entertainment industry, so I want to do modelling, acting, and presenting.”
“I found that from a young age, I suffered a lot with my self-esteem because I had acne so I was made fun of and I didn’t like it. I felt really bad about myself, I didn’t really love myself but modelling has helped me to grow my confidence. I started loving myself again and then I was able to love other people,” said Miles.
Miss Jozi 2017 was her second competition, her first was Miss Exclusive which she entered in 2015, making it to the semi-finals. She started the competition in May where she was placed in a group to test their intelligence.
Miles explained that the topic was about cybercrime and security. “Sometimes you are not only beautiful physically but it’s your mind that’s beautiful,” added Miles.
“I just want to inspire other young girls so that they know that anything is possible, it doesn’t matter where you come from.” Miles’ mother became addicted to drugs 11 years ago and this resulted in her and her siblings living with their grandmother.
“She does not know where her mother is, but still believes in the best of things. You can do amazing things if you put your mind to it. I just want to be a good role model,” said Miles.
She would like to enter Miss SA in the future, but for now, she would just like to learn from these experiences and grow.
The Miss Jozi finals were held at the Braamfontein Recreation Centre on 23 September and Miles made it into the top 13.
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