Rhodes University Information Systems student Odifentse Lehasa has three weeks before she jets off to Joburg to show a panel of judges why she deserves to hold the title of Miss Commonwealth South Africa.
Rhodes University Information Systems student Odifentse Lehasa has three weeks before she jets off to Joburg to show a panel of judges why she deserves to hold the title of Miss Commonwealth South Africa.
The 23-year-old Masters student, who achieved distinctions for her BComm and BComm Honours degrees, says the desire to help others was what motivated her to enter the annual pageant produced by Miss Commonwealth South Africa (Pty) Ltd.
The seven-month national competition, Lehasa explained, is a charity crown.
“It creates a platform for the finalists and winners to be ambassadors of change, thus fulfilling their dreams within the pageant, entertainment and business industries,” Lehasa said.
Grocott’s Mail interviewed Lehasa in the run-up to a gala event next Friday, where she will present what she’s achieved.
While she has lived in Grahamstown for the past five years, Lehasa grew up in Johannesburg, where her family instilled the value of education at a tender age.
“I have always wanted to enter pageants from my high school days, but my family made sure that I put education above everything else and that is exactly what I did,” Lehasa said.
As an adult, she feels she understands the world of pageants better.
She entered this competition, she said, because she wanted to be involved in an initiative that would develop her as a young woman and also allow her to make a real difference in the lives of South African children and youth through empowerment and education.
“Miss Commonwealth focuses on charity, empowering young South African women to become change agents in their communities and bring sustainable development,” Lehasa said.
“I am passionate about helping young women and kids realise their dreams, so this opportunity could not have come at a better time,” she said.
Alongside her studies, Lehasa said she had organised a women’s empowerment event about establishing a strong personal brand.
“I want women to realise their strengths and know that they too can be independent and make their dreams a reality,” Lehasa said.
“I want them to know that they are bigger than their circumstances, or the challenges they face.”
“I have also been involved in a project which provides computer literacy lessons to primary school children in marginalised communities, over the past three years.
“I am currently working on starting a foundation which will focus on providing technology, and social entrepreneurship skills to school kids from marginalised communities,” Lehasa said.
Coming from a big city to Grahamstown was an eye-opener.
“It was a culture shock, because not only was I face to face with the reality of poverty, but I began to value the things that I have always taken for granted in life,” Lehasa said. “Like having access to, and learning how to use a computer.
“You should see how the faces of those kids light up when pressing the keyboard and playing games,” she said.
The gala event in which the winner will be announced and crowned Miss Commonwealth South Africa will be at Summerplace in Boksburg, Gauteng Province.
