Kgothatso carries City’s hopes in Miss SA pageant

CENTURION beauty Kgothatso Dithebe is hoping the second time around will be the charm to help her scoop the coveted title of Miss South Africa 2021.

Dithebe, 26, is the only contestant from Tshwane to make it to the Top 10 following days of interviews, eliminations and thousands of public votes received alongside the pageant’s judging panel.

Even though Dithebe said she would have loved for all four of the contestants from Tshwane to make it to the finals, she was excited she would be representing the City and its uniqueness.

From the unique historical buildings, vibrant townships and its own lingo, Dithebe said the City still had much to show off and be proud of.

“Failure to me means trying again, but this time with experience.

“I have learnt that this is bigger than me. This is about my purpose and my message and it needs to be spread across all borders. I need to empower others by making them understand that every part of you and your life is beautiful.”

Dithebe said this as she was no stranger to the limelight, coming in as one of the Top 5 finalists during the 2019 Miss SA pageant.

She said what had encouraged her during the journey and after being named as one of the contenders was a dream she had about the woman who had raised her who had since died.

“After that dream, I immediately thought I had to go home. I know she is with me during the journey and she is extremely proud of me.

“This platform is about empowering women, being a voice, and carrying a baton from one woman to the other, and encouraging women to be themselves and not letting any circumstance determine their future.”

Gauteng has four finalists among the Top 10, Cheneil Hartzenberg, 24, Moratwe Masima, 25, Tiffany Francis, 22, all from Greater Joburg, and Dithebe.

Among the other contestants in the Miss SA showdown to take place at the Grand West Arena in Cape Town on Saturday, October 16, are Lalela Mswane, 24, from KwaZulu-Natal, Bianca Bezuidenhout, 22, Catherine Groenewald, 23, and Jeanni Mulder, 24, who are all from Cape Town.

The Eastern Cape will be represented by Zimi Mabunzi, 26, of Qonce (formerly King William's Town) and Kaylan Matthews, 25, of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).