Neggie Bakwunye is set to put Germiston on the map.<\/p>\n
Neggie is a semi-finalist in the Mrs South Africa 2017 pageant and she is ready to make her mark.<\/p>
\u201cI was informed a day after my application that I made it into the semi-final stage,\u201d said Neggie.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am humbled and honoured to be a part of this pageant.\u201d<\/p>
Neggie said she had to attend a workshop as part of the pageant requirements.<\/p>\n
\u201cI joined other semi-finalists from across the country at the workshop,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a great workshop and the women I met are amazing; we are all vying for the crown but we get along very well.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a WhatsApp group where we keep each other updated with the pageant developments.\u201d<\/p>\n
Neggie also said that the semi-finalists motivate each other.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t only discuss pageant issues. We advise and inspire each other in other aspects of our lives,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are all sisters and this group chat has become more like a women empowerment programme.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Castleview resident told the GCN that she wants to use the pageant to inspire other women.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to show other women out there that you don\u2019t have to be a certain height, size or shape to be beautiful and to make a difference,\u201d said Neggie.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to be comfortable and confident in your own skin.\u201d<\/p>\n
Neggie\u2019s desire to inspire is motivated by her own struggles with self-esteem. As a child her self-esteem took a dive due to bullying and negative criticism.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was constantly criticised because of my weight and height,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had to learn to love myself and not let what others say about me get to me.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thank my cousin, Buyile Ntimane, who was one of the people who helped me fight my low self-esteem.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are beautiful the way you are. Don\u2019t let anybody ever tell you otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n
The local semi-finalist also finds time out of being a full-time working mom to Ebube (4) and Chidi (5 months), wife to Chukwuji and student to give back to the community.<\/p>\n
Among other things, Neggie initiated a peer education programme that she runs at the Johannesburg Varsity College.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have motivational talks and discussions about daily challenges at our meetings,\u201d explained Neggie.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also have movie nights where I make popcorn at home and buy cold drinks and we just relax and watch movies.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am also part of something similar at Cathula Primary School, in Katlehong, where I work with Grade Seven learners in preparing them for high school.<\/p>\n
\u201cI also try and source basic essentials for the children.\u201d<\/p>\n
Neggie said she loves working with people.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is nothing as gratifying as saving a child, make a difference where you can,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to win this pageant. It means a lot to me and I intend to give it my best.\u201d<\/p>\n
A semi-final motivational workshop will be held prior to the announcement of the finalists on April 28.<\/p>\n
The crowning of the winner is expected to take place in October.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Also read:<\/strong><\/p>\n Ke-ami is a step closer to the crown<\/a><\/p>\n