Two semifinalists in the Mrs South Africa competition, hailing from Bloemfontein, attended the first in a long line-up of empowerment workshops on 25 March and a sold-out Annual Women’s Breakfast on 26 March.
More than 820 women attended the events, held at Emperors Palace.
Ntshebo Poleka and Alicia Stols are both semifinalists in this national competition.
“Overall, skills workshops are a vital component of the Mrs South Africa programme, offering valuable learning experiences and acting as a platform for growth, skills development, and inspiration,” says Joani Johnson, chief executive officer (CEO) of Mrs South Africa.
The one-day workshop featured a line-up of guest speakers and industry experts who shared their insights into online content creation, social media management, media and public relations, sponsorship acquisition and management, and emotional intelligence.
The breakfast permitted women to come together, share their experiences, motivate each other, and learn from Mrs South Africa’s national board of directors and alumni.
Johnson noted that the sold-out event was a remarkable success, with the presence of the reigning Mrs South Africa Queen Palesa Matjekane, Chairman of the Board Matapa Maila, and prominent keynote speaker Alison Botha all ensuring that it was a glamorous affair.
The organisation also launched its first Mrs South Africa book, showcasing the many inspiring stories of the 2022 Finalists.
Poleka said the weekend empowered women to take their assigned leadership role without fear and boldly tap on it in heels.
“What I took from the breakfast is to do away with social and structural exclusions as women.
“There is no right way in being a woman leader. Lead in a way that feels good to you. Take up your space and empower others.”
Stols said the breakfast event was such an empowering moment.
“To see over 800 women come together to support each other was truly incredible. I cannot wait to see the larger impact of our journey.”
