By BAKANG MOKOTO
Rustenburg-born model, Kealeboga Matsafu said modeling must be treated as a career rather than a hobby. Matsafu (17) represented South Africa at the Miss Teen Globe International Pageant competition in Thailand recently and crowned the winner.
She described herself as “the rural girl with global dreams.” Matsafu who was born in Mabieskraal village near Rustenburg said that she prides herself through cultural background and her upbringing.
“I believe that my background has groomed me to become a person I am today. I am an outgoing and vibrant person, but love to read books too. I also make time for my social responsibilities through a charity organization called Rare Seeds.
“Having grown up in a rural village, I knew just how much I needed someone I could look up to. I needed someone whom I could draw inspiration from and that alone inspired me to be a model. So, I pushed myself to be that perfect example and inspired others,” she said.
Matsafu said it was not an easy task to become a model, but with morals, discipline, kindness and perseverance a break-through was guaranteed. She also said it is imperative for aspiring models to know what they want.
“I would like to encourage young and aspiring models not to try unethical short-cuts to get to the top because by so doing one will be putting her/his modeling career at risk. They must have direction and put all efforts into their craft.
“Remember, rejections are part of the journey, so do not despair but rather use that as a learning curve. One cannot make it through in every casting or pageant audition, but one needs to keep going,” she said.
Matsafu added that education is very significant and encourages young people to take it seriously. She said being educated gives a person the power to be able to stand up for herself or himself.
“If you are educated, you can afford the lifestyle you have always dreamt of. You are given freedom because as long as you are uneducated, no one will take you seriously. However, we understand that it is not by choice that others are uneducated, but because of the situation.
“I’m still in high school at the moment and I will be matriculating next year and I’m so grateful that I am doing quite well at school too. The experience of going to Thailand was amazing and it was my first international trip,” said Matsafu.
She advocates for the rights of women and children and said that “16 Days of Activism against Women and Children” need to be celebrated every day.
“I was born on the first day of 16 days of activism and I believe that I have to be the voice for those affected. I think this is not something that should be celebrated because it should be a norm already to live in homes without violence.
“We should campaign against GBV every day and break free from the abuses that we experienced recently. Women and children need to have people advocating for their rights not only for 16 days,” she concluded.
The Guardian 