KWT'S ANGEL OF MERCY
THE fact that she has the responsibility to care for her mother who has a challenge with her eyesight, has not prevented Rashè Thompson from excelling in beauty pageants.
The 18-year-old Unisa student was blown away upon receiving news that she is one of the chosen finalists for the Miss SA Angel of Mercy 2018 competition, with a sash and crown being handed over to her at her home in Breidbach on Friday.
Miss SA Angel of Mercy 2018 is a competition, which not only focuses on the beauty of participants, but also the role and importance of community and charity in the workplace.
As a finalist, she now has the opportunity to compete against participants from other provinces at the pageant in Johannesburg in October.
Thompson told the GO! & Express that she felt overwhelmed by the achievement, saying she never thought she would make it this far. She attributed her success to mentor, Brendon Gosling of Rihnaj Models Incorporated, and the overwhelming support from her mother, friends and the King William’s Town community.
“The feeling is amazing and it all started when I was browsing through Facebook and saw that there were a lot of pageants one could enter. I asked Brendon if I could enter to which he said ‘yes’.”
“I’m a very shy person but I’m building my confidence through the modelling shows for Miss Teen SA 2018 and I am currently studying accounting science through Unisa because I have to look after my mom at home,” the former Breidbach Secondary matriculant said.
Gosling said: “Since Rashè joined Rihnaj Models about six years ago, she has played an active role in all the charity and community work we did, such as with Ekwezi Children’s Home, Project Make a Child Smile, and Project White Christmas. “Whether we were collecting clothes, painting faces, handing out food or giving children gifts on Christmas Day, she has always been right by my side assisting and do whatever she can.”
Gosling added: “Her passion for doing good, giving back and trying to make a difference in the lives of others, has been rewarded and I have no doubt that she will win the national title Miss SA Angel of Mercy 2018”.
Her mother, Rehlda Thompson, said: “I’m very proud of her achievement and I am happy that she has made the entire community proud.”