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Inspired to live her dream

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Unisa student Johanna Gaula has been nominated as one of the top 100 semi-finalists in the Mrs South Africa 2017 pageant

In the true sense of word, Mrs South Africa is not only about the typical beauty pageant. It offers married South African women who have real-life careers, families, and hobbies the chance to compete for the prestigious title of Mrs South Africa. Glamour and sophistication are part of the criteria, but the women who enter and win all have relatable stories that the competition is looking for.

And Johanna Gaula is hoping to be a winner in the 2017 Mrs South Africa pageant. Johanna was born and raised in a humble family in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, and now lives in Moreleta Park. She is a wife and a mother of two boys. In pursuit of her career goals, she achieved a Diploma in Financial Management and is currently enrolled with Unisa studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Accounting.

Johanna is currently employed at Checkers as a Trainee Regional Admin Manager. In the middle of her busy schedule, she has also started a small construction company, Tsoma G (Pty) Ltd, focusing on small-scale home improvements and renovations. This was inspired by the dream of turning ordinary houses, to dream homes for people at lower band of an economic class in South Africa, especially in her area of birth.

The 100 semi-finalists, including Johanna Gaula,  will go on to compete at the semi-final weekend, held at Emperors Palace from 26 to 28 April 2017. There they will be submitted to intense judging sessions by an esteemed panel of judges comprising Vusi Zwane (Emperors Palace Peermont Hotel corporate affairs and corporate social investment executive), Candice Abrahams (Mrs World 2016), and Unaiza Moideen (business woman in the beauty industry), and headed by principal judge, Cindy Nell Roberts (Business Woman and former Miss South Africa).

Only 25 women will be selected to continue the journey as finalists for Mrs South Africa, who will be announced at the annual CANSA Gala Dinner on 28 April at Emperors Palace’s Centre Court.

The Gala Dinner is a glittering event and a highlight on the social calendar. All proceeds of this event will go to the pageant’s official charity, the Cancer Association of South Africa.

Mrs South Africa has the reputation of a women-empowerment programme and prides itself on real, bona fide women. It does not matter what your story is or where you come from. Mrs South Africa contestants are between the ages of 24 and 49.  They are mature, driven, ambitious and most of all real—relatable women who strive to be the best version of themselves. They are wives, in some cases, mothers and some are entrepreneurs but most are change makers.

Like Johanna Gaula Mrs South Africa Semi-Finalist 2017 on the Facebook page, and click on the official Mrs South Africa website for more information.

If you would like Johanna to become one of the 25 finalists, vote for her. SMS “Johanna Gaula” to 35959 at a cost of R3/SMS (free SMSes do not apply). You may vote as many times as you like to secure her a spot in the top 25.

Johanna tells us a little about herself and her dreams:

It is a privilege, humbling, and an exciting experience to be part of the top 100 Mrs South Africa 2017 pageant. I am committed to use this platform to empower and mentor youth and, in particular, a girl child, through sports and recreation such as netball, soccer, and basketball. To realise this dream, I need support from organisations that align themselves to this dream. I wish to challenge GN Sundowns League Organising Committee to be part of this seemingly personal journey, yet with bigger ambitions to touch the lives of ordinary people through sports and recreation..

Through the platform provided by Mrs South Africa 2017 pageant and with the assistance of GN Sundowns League Organizing Committee, I wish to earnestly request all authorities in schools to bring back those days where sporting activities were a form of entertainment and recreation for the youth. Time is now opportune to preoccupy the minds of youth with a common and constructive purpose, to compete and socialise in sports during their idle time and move away from playing in the streets for wrong reasons.

I was crowned Miss Tshwane North College in 2002 and 2003. This is the moment where I discovered the passion and the importance of using similar platforms to advance my dreams. The reason why I entered the competition is to inspire youth to follow their dreams, despite their different circumstances and be in control of their futures. Like every mom, my mornings are hectic but I cope through planning and the support from my husband and family. Friends mean a lot to me. Through my love of sports, I believe I will be able to reach out to our future leaders and inspire them to live their dreams, much as I do.

*By Johanna Gaula

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Publish date: 2017-04-05 00:00:00.0

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