With a strong ambition to make her mark in beauty pageants, 40-year-old Collette Madega of Vuvha in Nzhelele aspires to win the Mrs Pretoria Tshwane 2023 title. She was recently selected among the top 10 finalists for the competition, and this married mother of three is determined to defy the odds by proving that life really does begin at the age of 40.
The 10 finalists for this year's Mrs Pretoria Tshwane, hosted by Mzantzi Pageants Pty Ltd, were announced at the Precinct Restaurant in Midrand at the end of July. The crowning ceremony takes place on 26 November this year, with the venue still to be confirmed.
Madega said she had only taken a wild chance when she had entered the competition six months before. "I have no modelling experience, but by the grace of God I was selected as one of the finalists," she said.
She explained how her interest in beauty pageants was ignited at a young age, but how she was unable to follow her ambitions because of the lack of opportunities in her village. "I've always been drawn to beauty since I was in primary school and aspired to be like the beautiful women out there. It took some time, but here I am – 40 years old and a finalist for the Mrs Pretoria Tshwane pageant. Age is just a number," she said.
Madega defines a role model as someone who motivates others to emulate his or her positive behaviour and provides an inspirational ideal. "I have the passion and the ability to inspire others," she said.
As a finalist for the Mrs Pretoria Tshwane, she said obtaining the title would provide her with a platform to serve where a need existed in her community. Last month, she established an initiative called Age is Simply a Number. "At the moment, I am working on selling pens and raising money for my campaign, so that I can help non-profit organisations raise money for pageants that do not receive funding," she said.