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UKZN alumnus, Ms Tshegofatso Molefe (26) aims to prove that there is more to being a pageant queen than just being beautiful.

Molefe, who holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from UKZN, is from Kestell in the Free State, but currently lives in Pietermaritzburg.

The Miss South Africa competition is a leadership platform for ambitious young South African women. Through the pageant process, contestants receive coaching from world-renowned experts and acquire advanced networking, business and life skills.

‘This has been a lifelong dream and I’m so grateful that my life has finally come full circle to this moment. I have always wanted to win Miss South Africa, not just enter but win. I’m ready to work diligently towards the crown. Miss SA is not a typical pageant; it is an empowerment platform that takes place in the form of a pageant. I’m here to learn, get empowered and to empower!’ she said.

‘Inspired by my compassion for my country and my active contribution to society through law and mentorship, there is nothing I want more than to live a purposeful life and to leave a formidable legacy,’ she said.

She started modelling at a very young age and has won numerous pageants including Miss Mgungundlovu 2014, Miss Spring 2014, Miss Edendale Mall 2014, and Miss Mamelodi Sundowns 2019/20. In her final-year of LLB studies, she made the finals of Miss Justice South Africa.

Molefe also runs an organisation called Rising Girls Foundation that donates sanitary pads and provides mentorship to young girls. In 2017, she was appointed the first female Treasurer of the Black Lawyers Association Student Chapter and says this experience inspired her to work relentlessly for community empowerment.

She recently completed her articles at Legal Aid South Africa and is working towards being admitted as an Attorney of the High Court.

Words: Lungile Ngubelanga

Photograph: Supplied