Denga Muremela (25) from Magau village in Sinthumule is making waves in the world of beauty pageants. She has been selected as one of the 110 Miss Limpopo Province semi-finalists for 2022. The virtual competition drew entries from more than 300 competitors last month.
The second-year law student at the University of South Africa said, "Skin colour does not in any way deter one's capabilities. Perseverance is what pays in the end. Never look down upon yourself or lose focus on whatever you intend to go for in life," said Denga.
In 2018, Denga was first princess in the Miss Capricorn Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) pageant. Last year, she ended as a finalist in the Miss Culture International South Africa pageant and in September this year she was crowned as Miss Nandoni Villa 2021 Queen.
Asked what had prompted her to participate in these modelling competitions, Denga answered, "Modelling teaches young women to believe in themselves." Despite feeling very self-conscious while growing up, she now firmly believes in her own capabilities and that involving herself in different modelling competitions has earned her a position in the Miss Limpopo Province semi-finalists for 2022.
"I dream about becoming Miss South Africa one day," Denga said. With the prize money she wins from beauty pageants, she wants to uplift the youth in her community by establishing an NGO and rope in other ladies from the modelling industry.