The youthful-looking Kelebogile Mokgele (57) is looking forward to an unforgettable moment on the catwalk with the crowd cheering her on as she claims the coveted Mrs. Bold South Africa crown.
Born and bred in Thaba Nchu, she is among the finalists vying for the crown of this beauty pageant providing a platform to married, divorced, or widowed women as well as mature women with children.
The finalists were chosen at an event held at the Regal Hotel in Midrand on 24 February with the grand finale set for October this year.
Mokgele said entering the pageant aided to her rediscovering herself, finding the woman who embodies her quality of boldness, yet also ties in with her generosity. The objective of the contest aims at celebrating the essence of South African beauty, grace, and resilience.
“Realising that a meaningful aspect of my healing journey involved assisting others in their healing, I had an epiphany that led me to participate in the Mrs. Bold South Africa competition.
“The contest aligns with my values of empowerment and helping others. I viewed the competition as a significant project with a profound purpose: empowering and providing second chances to women. It instils us with a sense of purpose that also allows us, as finalists, to make a positive impact on the lives of others,” said Mokgele.
She strongly maintains the pageant is a perfect platform to recovery after the tragic loss of her spouse.
“Confronted with the unimaginable and untimely loss of my husband, I found myself in a place of profound brokenness, doubting my strength to ever recover. As my world seemed to collapse, I teetered on the edge of despair. Yet, with unwavering resilience and courage, I embarked on the journey of reclaiming my life, gradually piecing together what was once shattered,” said Mokgele.
Her path to recovery gave birth to her project, Healed 2 Serve.
“A project deeply meaningful to me,” said Mokgele.
She said her initiative was the perfect vehicle to target university students.
“My dedication revolves around youth education at university level, primarily through actively seeking sponsors for funding. I strive to address some challenges by guiding them towards appropriate interventions and necessary support that will enable them to achieve their academic success. I consider university students a ‘forgotten community.’ They encounter numerous challenges, funding being the most prevalent,” said Mokgele.
She is not new in pageant contest,having been crowed 1992 Ms Manpower College in Thaba Nchu.
