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Tshegofatso Monggae, Miss Mamelodi Sundowns 2015 and business sales coordinator, talks about her childhood, being a beauty queen and the hard work it takes to get where you want to be.
You’ve now been in 3 different pageants, including the Miss South Africa top 12, which one did you enjoy most?
Out of the 3 pageants that I have participated in I would say I enjoyed Miss Mamelodi Sundowns the most. Not only because I won the title, but because I came in very prepared and ready to fit in the role of being an ambassador for Mamelodi Sundowns football club.
How long have you been involved in the pageant industry, and do you think it has changed how you see the world?
I have been participating in pageants since I was 7 years old. And with every new pageant I find myself growing and becoming more responsible.
READ MORE: Mrs SA contestant gives us the scoop on life in the world of beauty pageants
The pageant world is often perceived as being very catty: what is the relationship with other women in the pageant industry like?
It becomes a sisterhood. A place where we can build each other and really be each other’s driving force that encourages one another to continue in the race to win.
You studied Bcom, while competing in pageants. Have you ever had to deal with people who think because you are pretty, you must be unintelligent?
It happens a lot where people think because you are pretty life is easy and you don’t have to work hard to get what you want. And that’s not true. At the end of the day, I am a young black woman who has aspirations and goals.
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What do you say to people who say that pageants are bad for women’s rights and self-esteem?
Not at all. Beauty pageants unite woman from all walks of life. We get to see how driven and successful other women are in their own right. So I get challenged positively when I meet other young women that are goal orientated and driven.
What would you like people to know about being Miss Mamelodi Sundowns? The things people don’t get to see.
It’s a lot of long hours and really you need to be hands on with the organisation to get the best out of the Miss Mamelodi Sundowns experience.
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