She is beautiful, intelligent and hails from Hermanus.
Phelisa Mgwedane’s beauty overwhelms, heightened as it is by her sparkling personality. It is not for nothing that this young women was named a finalist in the Miss Universities of South Africa pageant.
This graduate in Sports Management is currently pursuing an advanced diploma in Sport and Leisure Management at Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
She tells that she is originally from the Eastern Cape, but grew up in Hermanus: “I came from a big family and have 14 siblings . . . yes, from both parents!”
She talks excitedly about her favourite sport, soccer: “Growing up I used to play soccer, my favourite hobby then. But I always dreamt of being a model, and in my first year of studying, 2018, I started modelling.”
Through modelling she wishes to help young girls believe in themselves and follow their dreams. “My biggest achievement in this sphere was in 2019, when I was crowned first princess in the Miss Cape Town contest, second princess in Miss City of Cape Town and second princess in Miss Western Cape.”
Her childhood was not a bed of roses, but it didn’t get Phelisa down. “I have learnt some crucial lessons from my tough childhood; it made me stronger. I made the impossible possible. My motto in life is ‘with God everything is possible’.”
She wants to make a difference, and she does this by helping others achieve their goals. “With this in mind, my long-term goals are to start my own modelling agency and netball and soccer clubs, because sport and other outdoor activities play a big role in children’s development.”
Although studying in Cape Town her heart will always be in Hermanus. “This is a small, beautiful town with friendly people. I love visiting my home town with its beautiful beaches, nature and whales.”
To young people and up-and-coming models her message is, “Beauty starts within and never let anyone take that away from you. Believe in yourself and you will achieve many things in life. I never thought one day I would compete in the Miss Cape Town or Miss Universities pageant, but faith and confidence made me start believing in myself.”
