Taking part in the Miss Unity South Africa (SA) 2025 pageant was a great experience where she learnt more about herself, and where she realised that no dream is too big or far-fetched.
Mathapelo Princess Atoro, who turned 27 years on 14 April, says she was proud to walk the stage at the end of March in Menlyn, Pretoria, as a finalist in this pageant.
Atoro says when walking the stage, she was not only representing the Northern Cape (where she lives in Warrenton) but also the Free State, where she was born in Wepener.
“I decided to enter for Miss Unity SA as I believe that women are phenomenal beings and should not just be judged based on their physical features, but also on their acts of selflessness, kindness, and the roles they play in communities.”
After entering the pageant last year, she was announced as a finalist on 30 November. In 2020, she was crowned as Miss Philantrophy South Africa.
Although feeling anxious during the weeks prior to the pageant, Atoro worked tirelessly to prepare. She was spellbound on the day.
“I learnt that when women come together, incredible things happen. It is beautiful to listen to other women sharing their stories and how they have made it this far. I also learned how powerful unity amongst women is. I have found sisters amongst my fellow finalists – that showed how beautiful this chapter has been.
She also realised that she is a queen, with or without a physical crown.
Words of advice shared
Atoro’s advice to young women is to be united.
“Through unity, we can achieve formidable things. We can break barriers, break stigmatisation of so many issues.”
Another word of advice from Atoro is that you should not let your present circumstances discourage you from reaching your dream.
Atoro is passionate to let her voice be heard on gender-based violence (GBV): “May our justice system work tirelessly to apprehend perpetrators of GBV crimes,” she says.
She is currently trying to get her gift-packaging business off the ground. Furthermore, she is doing an online course in teaching English as a foreign language.
Atoro thanks Shirley Magqaza of SHIRQreats for dressing her for the gown category; for Maria WaGa Mokoka (MC Bae) for the makeup-services, and everyvone else who contributed for her to be on stage.
The Miss Unity South Africa pageant is an initiative for women aged 18 to 27, and is about women empowerment, and helping women elaborate and recreate what it is that they can be or do. It is said to be an opportunity for women to showcase not only their beauty but personality, potential, and intelligence.
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