Albertsdal resident semi-finalist of Miss Grace SA
“This pageant has finally given me a voice as a woman who has been through abuse."
SIBONGILE Hlatshwayo (33) recently entered the Miss Grace South Africa pageant and, after starting her journey here in September, she is already a semi-finalist.
She is so excited about this new enablement to make a significant change in the community.
Sibongile lives in Albertsdal, but her roots lie in Thokoza. As an IT consultant, single mom of a bubbly eight-year-old and daily carer of her mother who’s recovering from serious surgery, there are many reasons to admire Sibongile.
Going to gym is her favourite pastime, along with spending time with her daughter. They love taking road trips and going to the zoo together. Sibongile proudly says her biggest inspiration are single, working mothers who still manage to be wonderful mothers to their children – this is what she aspires to be.
What’s more, as a former victim of emotional and physical abuse, she is determined to do her part in the fight against gender-based violence. This is the primary reason she decided to join Miss Grace South Africa, as this pageant has a mission to empower women.
Sibongile is especially excited about the challenges of this competition. Miss Grace contestants from Gauteng have been given the challenge to participate in the #PinkFist Campaign – a silent march in protest of gender-based violence and human trafficking, which runs over 16 days. They must also do their part in working with charities in their communities.
“I love being a part of this,” said Sibongile. “This pageant has finally given me a voice as a woman who has been through abuse, and enabled me to actually make a positive change in this morbid aspect of society.”
Sibongile got crowned as one of 100 semi-finalists in total, and one of 25 semi-finalists in Gauteng, on November 5.
“I am very hopeful, faithful and confident that I will be crowned as a finalist on December 16, because God is by my side and I’m at His,” she commented with a smile.
“From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank all my generous sponsors who made entering this pageant possible,” she added.
If you’d like to vote for Sibongile to become a finalist, please SMS SibongileH to 35109 (cost is R3). Feel free to follow her journey on Facebook: Sibongile C Hlatshwayo; Instagram: sibongile_mgsasemifinalist19.
For more information about the pageant visit www.missgracesa.com
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
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