Please tell us about yourself.

I am currently based in Durban, KZN and employed as a food scientist for a multinational company where I get to live out my purpose by creating healthy, affordable, and sustainable food product.

I am originally from Soshanguve in Pretoria and come from a family of six. I am passionate about community development especially through social entrepreneurship because it allows me to address the issue of poverty and many other social issues at the same time.

I own a community bakery that I founded in 2019 after I graduated. I was inspired to start a business after graduation, because I was aware of the unemployment rates for the country and I wanted to create employment for myself and others.

Why did you decide to study at Stellenbosch University?

I pride myself in being an aware and intentional person and at the end of my matric year, I was looking to go to one of the best universities in the country that would also offer me a different cultural experience. I was looking to leave the university as an overall improved and better-rounded person.

What stands out to you when you think back to your time in Stellenbosch?

I am most proud to have been a part of the Stellenbosch culture and pride. My four years in Stellenbosch increased my love for my own community in Soshanguve. Seeing how much the Stellenbosch community invests to make sure that it becomes a town the locals are proud of, made me want to go do the same in my community.

You recently competed in the Miss South Africa pageant and placed in the top 5. Tell us about that journey.

I am really passionate about the development of South Africa and the young women in our country. I realised how much work I had done in my personal capacity to try and add value and wanted to use the Miss SA platform to do it on a bigger scale. It might take longer to reach people without the platform, but I am still in pursuit of this goal.

Tell us about your plans for the future.

My biggest aspiration is to inspire other young people to fearlessly pursue their goals. I am working on creating platforms that allows young people with paradigm shifting ideas to collaborate. I think it’s going to take all our ideas to create a world we will all be proud of.

What are you passionate about in life?

Empowering people to take charge and create solutions to the everyday issues that are disrupting the communities.

Who or what motivates or inspires you?

My strong belief that every community and individual have inherent value that can be nourished and used to change the world. I am an optimist.

Do you have any advice that you would like to share with fellow Maties?

Don’t be afraid to fall and fail, true failure only comes when you stop trying. We all can do anything we set our minds to.