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ZAlebs caught up with Dr. Thato at a press briefing hosted by the Miss SA organization in Cape Town, and she said empowering one another with opportunities, to build a society full of generous people is close to her heart.
“For me, my message will still be the same but, I think the organization has a responsibility to refine our messages in a more amplified and powerful way. My message is one of giving people opportunities I am who I am because people gave me opportunities,” echoed Dr Thato.
“South Africa is a resilient country and our history speaks for itself that we have overcome so many things and this is one of the giants we will also overcome. I think the message that we got from each other is to stick together because we are all experiencing pain and if you see that someone is in need just lend a helping hand because people think I am not going to help everyone but that one makes a difference so for me it is about quality, not quantity,”she states.
The 25-year-old has received R250 000 in cash for being the first runner up. Dr. Thato reckons that Miss SA is not only about beauty, but it is about changing the mindset of several people and building a society full of empowered people.
“It is important for men to start dealing with a world full of empowered women. Gender-Based Violence is on the rise because certain men feel insecure, they have mental issues they are still dealing with, platforms like this open up for men to change for women to do great things and take up space and highly influence,” she says.
During her speech at the pageant finale, Thato said “My accolades alone will never make me worthy of this crown, I am proud of them but I understand that they are a direct result of me being exposed to certain opportunities, which is why I believe in the power of matching up opportunities to God-given potential as your next Miss South Africa, I will be the bridge that narrows the gap between opportunities and our given potential,” she said.
Dr. Thato is set to take over the duties of Miss South Africa should the need arise.
Congratulations to her.
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