Mrs SA is out to show the world
NEWLY crowned Mrs South Africa Hlengiwe Twala is all a queen should be – beautiful and poised.
When she woke up on Saturday morning, after being crowned Mrs SA at Emperors Palace the previous night, she needed someone to call her Mrs South Africa to confirm it was real.
She was a favourite to win the crown, and her fellow finalists could not stop singing her praises at the official Mrs SA breakfast.
This is where Twala gave her first speech as the happiest wife in the land. The 37-year-old is a mother-of-three. “My girls are so proud. I looked at them and said: ‘This is it. This is why mummy did it’,” she said.
“My life has changed. This has been such a true gift in my life at this age.”
She thanked her fellow contestants and said she was humbled and honoured to have been chosen.
“I’ve learnt so much from you all. My heart is so full because we walked this journey together.”
Twala said she made the decision to be as real as possible when she entered the competition – be herself and show her heart. She believed in women building each other up.
A full-time mom and part-time model, Twala said this journey was outside her comfort zone.
She lost her mother to cancer a few years ago and decided to enter the competition because it was in line with what she believed in.
On Wednesday, Twala leaves for the Mrs World pageant in South Korea.
She said she would take the spirit of ubuntu with her.
“We are so rare, so special. We love one another and this country. I’m going to show it to the world.”
Another reason Twala entered the competition was to serve the country.
“It runs in the family. My mother would sew clothes for those who could not afford it. I’m determined. I know where I’m going. And God is with me all the time.”