ONE wouldn’t expect a veterinarian who spends every day in overalls and gumboots to enter the Miss South Africa competition. You would also probably be shocked to hear that the country’s potential future president is a beauty queen.
These are just some of the boundaries that the two women from Gqeberha, who made it to the Miss South Africa 2022 Top 30, are already breaking.
Veterinarian, Bethany Damonse, and senior artist agent, social media manager and model, Thulani Ndzotyana (both 24), are two of only three finalists representing the Eastern Cape and hail from Summerstrand and New Brighton, respectively.
Although Damonse is currently doing her community service year in Pretoria, she is representing the province of her birth.
“I feel privileged to be representing the beautiful Bay! This is where I was born, where my roots in South Africa were planted and where much of my family resides.
“Although I have lived in many parts of the country, Gqeberha will always be home in my heart,” Damonse said.
For Ndzotyana, her province will always be known as the home of legends.
“When I think of representing Gqeberha, I think of the late legendary rugby commentator, Kaunda Ntuja, when he celebrated our Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, and said, ‘phakamani eBhayi!’
“The call to the township areas he made mention of, including my very own New Brighton, filled me with so much pride. I hope my journey to becoming will fuel a ‘who am I not to be’ spirit. If Thulani Ndzotyana could be, so can I,” she said.
Both women said that they weren’t told beforehand that they had made the Top 30, but found out through the Miss South Africa app, just like the rest of the country, on the evening of May 16.
Damonse said that she was ecstatic and jumped up, screaming and having a ball with her dogs because of all the excitement.
“I had almost given up as each girl appeared but when I appeared on screen, it truly felt surreal! I don’t think many would expect a veterinarian who spends most of their time in overalls and gumboots to be running for Miss South Africa, but that is exactly why I am choosing to break through glass ceilings and achieve my purpose to push awareness of my passions.”
Ndzotyana, who was cycling at the gym and watching the announcement of the Top 30 from there, said that making the list made her realise once again that her stride is her superpower.
“I have been praying about Miss SA for a lifetime. This platform has challenged me to become the best version of myself. It has been the mirror I’ve held up and when I saw my reflection in it this year, I knew it was time.
“The year is 2022; I aspire to be president in 2044 and it is 22 years from now, I am currently 24. There’s something about the numbers and the timing that feels like a Godly hour.
“Every woman I have watched on the Miss South Africa stage has inspired me to do better, to be better and to never let my current circumstances determine my future.”
Although both women are extremely excited about the possibility of being the next Miss SA, they acknowledged that there would be challenges too.
“My greatest challenge will be adapting to the spotlight and public eye. While being an extrovert, I was unfortunately unable to pursue my pageantry dreams in the past and I truly aim to be my own version of the phenomenal and inspirational women that have worked with the Miss South Africa organisation.
“However, what I may lack in experience I make up for in being a quick learner and I always aim to achieve excellence in all I put my mind to,” Damonse said.
Ndzotyana added that she would have to differentiate between fear and anxiety.
“Anxiety fuels me to do better; however, fear destroys the foundation I have built. When seeking to be part of a global platform like Miss South Africa, it is absolutely normal to be scared, nervous and anxious.
“However, in dealing with those emotions in a healthy manner and speaking about them, I need to realise that having emotions is not a weakness but a superpower. I need to navigate my emotions in a healthy manner and ensure that my mental well-being is always taken care of.”
When asked to share some advice to young women that are perhaps too afraid to pursue their dreams, Damonse said that your dreams are only limited by yourself.
“In this one life you have to live; live it unapologetically true to who you are and who you dream to be.”
Ndzotyana’s advice is to walk tall, be unapologetic and remember to always be a door opener.
