'Small town, big dreams': Barkly West beauty shines on world stage

ON TUESDAY evening, the Kimberley Airport was filled with emotion and excitement. Not because of a celebrity or a visiting dignitary, but because of a young woman whose story captured the hearts of her community. 

When the doors to the arrival hall opened, 21-year-old J-Dean Bridges stepped into a shower of love, tears, balloons, and homemade posters, symbols of pride and celebration for what she had accomplished thousands of kilometres away.

Born in Klerksdorp but raised in the modest town of Barkly West in the Northern Cape, so small that it’s easy to miss if you blink while passing by, J-Dean recently placed as the 3rd runner-up at the prestigious Miss Petite International Beauty Pageant in El Salvador.

Her return was more than just the arrival of a contestant; it was the homecoming of a local hero.

As she was wrapped in hugs from friends and family, tears glistened on J-Dean’s cheeks. The emotion was palpable, shared by all those who had gathered to welcome her. At the centre of the celebration stood her proud mother, Roelien Jones, beaming with love.

"I am so happy my daughter is back; I missed her so, so much," Roelien said, holding back her own tears.

Despite the celebratory mood, something was missing. There were no representatives from any local government department. No ribbon or formal welcome for someone who had carried the South African and Northern Cape flags onto an international stage. A young woman who had made history received no official support before, during, or after her journey. The trip, we sadly learnt, was completely self-funded.

E-mails were sent. Doors were knocked on. Pleas for sponsorship were made. But nothing came of it. What more must you do to receive recognition?

And yet, J-Dean persevered. With her mother by her side in spirit and the hopes of a town on her shoulders, she flew alone, for the very first time, not just to another city but to a whole new country. The absence of a travel companion even cost her 10% of her points in the competition. Still, she pressed on. And came back stronger.

In an exclusive interview with the DFA, J-Dean spoke candidly about her journey.

“Honestly, it's not the best position, but I didn't even think I would make it to the top six,” she said. “I felt at peace knowing that out of 16 beautiful and deserving girls, I was fourth—and someone saw me as worthy,” she said.

This achievement was more than a personal win. J-Dean made history as the first South African to represent the country at Miss Petite International.

“I'm incredibly proud to have represented South Africa on the international stage. It was an honour to pave the way for future generations,” she said. “And my community, wow, they’ve been nothing but supportive. The comments and messages I’ve received have reminded me why I did this.”

But it wasn’t easy.

“There were so many challenges. I was alone, doing my own hair and make-up, coaching myself through every moment,” she explained. “But the biggest challenge? The language barrier. None of the other girls could fully understand me, and I couldn’t understand them. We ended up using body language and objects to talk. It was difficult, but it became kind of funny in the end.”

She remembers one particular moment with raw emotion.

“On the first day, I had barely slept, just two or three hours. I was exhausted and heartbroken because my mom couldn’t be with me. At dinner, I just broke down crying in front of all the girls. They didn’t understand me, but they understood my pain. We had to go do a photoshoot after dinner, so they gathered around me, fixing my make-up, combing my hair, and comforting me without needing words. I’ll never forget that moment.”

There was little time to prepare for the competition, as J-Dean was more focused on figuring out how to even get there.

“My mom was the one with all the hope. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have had this opportunity. She believed in me even when I doubted myself.”

And to the young girls, especially those in her hometown, J-Dean had this message: “Never settle for less. I know growing up in a small town can make you dream small, but don’t let it. Be a small-town girl with big dreams. Don’t let anyone stand in your way.”

Despite the challenges, the absence of official support, and the loneliness of competing far from home, J-Dean Bridges brought light and pride to Barkly West.

“My favourite part of participating in Miss Petite International was simply being there. I learnt that resilience, kindness, and hope can carry you through anything.”

As her mother embraced her once more under the fluorescent lights of the airport, the message was clear: J-Dean may have come home with a crown as 3rd runner-up, but in Barkly West, and to many in the Northern Cape, she came home as number one.