Kebalepile Ramafoko, a third-year BA psychology and languages student at the North-West University (NWU), has proven that with hard work, passion and a bit of luck dreams do come true.
The 20-year-old beauty from Witbank was recently crowned as Miss Mpumalanga. Apart from the title she walked away with a car, a bursary from the Premier’s office, a house to stay in during the course of her reign, and beauty hampers.
“Entering and winning Miss Mpumalanga was truly a gift from God and a dream come true,” says Kebalepile. “It is the opportunities that come with the title that I am grateful for.”
She adds that the experience that she has gained will come in handy after she graduates and enters the business world.
Eight years of passion
Her passion for pageants started when she was 12 after she won her first pageant at Hoërskool Erasmus.
“It started off as a hobby, and all of that changed when I began to understand that pageants are actually about using your title and the platform that you have been given to help the less fortunate,” says Kebalepile.
She is an ambassador for Zazi, a movement to support the rights of women and girls in communities, and the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator, where she raises awareness for underage drinking and illegal gambling.
In the next five years, she sees herself flying to different countries, presenting seminars and Tedtalks. She adds that she also wants to mentor young women from Mpumalanga and assist them to participate in pageants and become part of the modelling industry.
Although Kebalepile plans to take part in the Miss South Africa pageant, her focus is currently on completing her studies. After completing her BA qualification, she wants to enroll for her honours degree.
Kebalepile’s words of wisdom to young women is that they should grab every opportunity that comes their way. “Young women must aspire to be the best of the best and know that in order to achieve your goals you have to work hard,” she says.
The NWU’s Kebalepile Ramafoko is Miss Mpumalanga 2019.
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