Known as one of the “Big Four” beauty pageants, Miss World is every girl's dream to wear the stunning blue bejeweled crown. At a farewell breakfast earlier this week, current Miss World South Africa Dr Claude Mashego said he couldn't believe the girl's dream had finally become a reality.
“I'm leaving in a few days, so I'm probably a little nervous, but I'm more excited because I've always had a dream of seeing myself on the Miss World stage. I hope my grandmother is still alive. When I was young, I used to watch Miss World on SABC 3 and the dream I told my grandmother that I would one day be on that stage became a reality. I can’t believe it’s happening.”
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Miss World SA dressing
One of the moments everyone looks forward to at a beauty pageant is the evening gown. Designer Otis Sefro, who won Designer of the Year at the Feather Awards last November, created two beautiful dresses for Claude to show off on the Miss World stage.
Although Claude didn't want to show off her dress at the event, she said: citizen She explained that her final dress was black and white and that she wanted it to have the feel of an African chieftain.
“There's a lot of beading, but there's still a lot of detail with a modern, avant-garde twist.”
Her second dress was inspired by the Rain Queen of Limpopo, which she describes as a tribute to female leadership.
The “Claude Jumpsuit'' was also unveiled at the Miss World SA send-off event.
talk to citizenITU Golfwear founder Inocencia Motau said Claude wanted activewear that was “tribal, African, bright and bold” for his trip to India.
deal with pressure
When you stand on the stage of the world's biggest beauty pageant, you automatically come under a lot of pressure. Not only does she have to make her dreams come true, but she also has to make her friends and family proud and hold her country's flag high. .
The 24-year-old Miss World South Africa says she is taking all the pressure as a positive as South Africa is on a winning streak.
“I look at it like the wave is there and we just ride it. I haven't internalized it, because whenever I show up, I try to perform to the best of my ability. , because we understand that we need to show up as our best selves wherever we go. [the pressure]It's just that people are excited about what South Africans have achieved in recent months and expect that to continue, and I hope that too. ”
Young leader network
Claude officially founded his nonprofit organization, Young Leaders Network, in March 2022. The organization is centered around leadership and entrepreneurship, with a focus on the key areas of mentorship.
“We want to see a new generation of young leaders in parliament and in positions of authority. We want young people in each community, especially rural communities, to be the change they want to see in the world. We want people to see us as leaders who can bring.”
A message to young women in South Africa
Claude's message to young African women as they prepare to begin their Miss World journey is to start showing up where you know you deserve to be.
“The struggle with African women is that we have always underestimated the value we bring to the world wherever we go. We walk around as if the door is open because someone has done us a favor.We walk around as if the door is open because someone has done us a favor. We forget that. So we need to start showing up as if we know we deserve to be in those spaces.”
The Miss World final will be held on March 9th at the Jio World Convention Center in Mumbai.
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