By Jonk wa Mashamba
Editor-In-Chief
At 23, Lebogang Mashishi from Mmakaunyane in the northwest has already done much for her community.
She is not only a promising business woman, but she is a dynamic girl and a model who is admired by young people and the elderly.
And she’s not just a beauty Queen, but also a Unisa Alumni who is still pursuing her career and at the same time making a difference in the community together with her models.
She says her initiative , Mr and Miss Mmakaunyane was established in 2021 after “my journey at Miss Township South Africa”.
“It made me to see the need to start one in my community so that young people can be empowered at Mmakaunyane, North West province.”
She says she was inspired by Koketso Makua, the founder of Miss Township South Africa.
“There are many things I wish to accomplish. But from the Lebogang Mashishi Foundation program, I want to produce future leaders who know their worth as kings and queens who ara mentally independent.”
According to her, the beauty contest is an annual program for youth between 13 and 30 years old.
Lebogang has inspired many young people since she began her modeling career in 2020. She reached out to schools, orphanages and centers through volunteerism.
She says the two reigning Queens, Karabo Muse and Hlonolofatso Moleko also play a huge part in making sure that “we reach out to others as a brand together with other Ambassadors in the brand”.
She wants to reach a lot of young people across the country and give them hope. However, to achieve her dream, she is currently looking for sponsors and investors.
When asked what she was doing outside of modeling, she said, “I already started the company that I can’t go into detail on.
“But in the coming years I see myself as a successful entrepreneur. I’m now working on branching the foundation to other provinces because the aim is to grow in everything I do. I want to leave a legacy.”
Her advice to the youth is: “If you want something you’ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.”
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