Sexy moms vie for crown
TWO Gauteng mothers are vying for the coveted title of Mrs South Africa.
It’s known as the second most prestigious beauty pageant, second to the Miss SA, and Reevana Govender, 29, and Prenita Reddi, 37, are each hoping to don the winner’s crown.
On Friday, both professionals were among the Top 25 finalists selected out of 100 hopefuls.
Govender, an optometrist, and Reddi, a businesswoman, will now compete in the final pageant, which is scheduled to take place on October 6 at Emperors Palace.
Govender, who lives in Northriding, Johannesburg, said she felt honoured.
“It made me realise that so many women have their own stories, which are so inspiring. So I am still in a bit of awe after being chosen.”
Having had to wear a swimsuit, Govender said she was surprised by the positive reaction.
“I only realised when I put on swimwear how confident and comfortable I felt and even though my body was not perfect, I owned it,” she said.
Married to attorney Chandresan Govender, a former Lotus FM and Eastern Mosaic presenter, Govender said none of this would have been possible without his support. He even has the T-shirt to prove it, with the slogan: “My wife for Mrs SA.”
The couple dote on their 2-yearold daughter, Mayil, who has a T-shirt that reads: “My mummy for Mrs SA.”
The Port Shepstone beauty is the Empress India South Africa 2016 title holder and second runnerup in Mrs India Worldwide.
Reddi, of Glenada, runs a lucrative cross-border transport company. She has three children – Nekeesha, 13, Ashaan, 4, and Kiyaan, 3.
“I entered the Mrs SA so I could inspire women from all walks of life despite their past circumstances,” she said.
Reddi said she was previously married and divorced, and the stigma was something she wanted to tackle. A travel blogger in her free time, Reddi said she could not have done this without her family and husband, Vinesh, 39, who works with her in the business.
Reddi said she was aware of the conservative community she hailed from, but the swimsuit segment allowed her to feel confident and liberated.
Both women have the next five months to prepare – they’re planning an event for Cansa and have an active social media campaign. More than R500 000 worth of prizes are up for grabs.