Sizwe Sibiya
Being a Madame of the South African Ambassador to Mexico is what first motivated Thando Mbokazi to enter the Mrs South Africa 2021 pageant.
Winning the competition, she thought, would help her to “network and fundraise… for the community based organisations in SA and the African community in Mexico.”
And this was far from Thando’s first outing. She had been a finalist in more than five beauty pageants by 2000, and had the experience and know-how to succeed in this one.
But it had been over 15 years since she last entered a pageant, so she knew this challenge would not be an easy one.
“I moved to Johannesburg and gained lots of weight because I did not have a national membership at the gym. While I loved modelling I did not have the required look.”
But on 5 March, she was announced as one of the semi-finalists of Mrs SA on the pageant’s Instagram page.
Being SA’s leading pageant for married women, Mrs SA, Thando says, is more of a “female empowerment programme for married women” in the country, than just another beauty pageant competition.
On 18 March, the winner of the pageant was announced on Instagram, but while Thando was hopeful to read her own name next to the illustrious words “1st Place,” she was disappointed to see that Mrs Thenjiwe Mdluli from Edenvale in Johannesburg at Emperors Palace had won.
The 40 year old who hails from Durban has found, however, that she has still been able to thrive in her ambassadorial role, and find a sense of fulfillment in this success.
When she married Ambassador Dennis Thokozani Dlomo, she became a step-mother to eight children, who are “between the age of 38 and seven years old.” She said she also has to play a significant ambassadorial role by participating in community development programmes through the Diplomatic Spouses Association.
“I feel honoured being a spouse to the ambassador as it means I am also part of representing South Africa,” said Thando, adding that she is also focusing on completing her second year of a BA in Communications.
“I love working in communication, media and community development. The qualification will assist me in excelling in the sector.”
Picture source: Supplied
