A teacher from Tetlanyo High School in Kimberley, Rochelle Zanazo, has been selected to represent the Northern Cape as a Mrs South Africa semi-finalist.
THE JOURNEY to the Mrs South Africa 2023 crown has started for a teacher from Tetlanyo High School in Kimberley, Rochelle Zanazo, after she was selected as the semi-finalist to represent the Northern Cape during the competition.
Zanazo said she was elated when she received the news that she had made it as the provincial semi-finalist candidate.
She said her passion and dedication to the art industry spurred her to enter the competition.
“I always had an interest in the different forms of the art industry, whether it be acting, singing or even modelling. I competed in pageants from a young age and would always take one of the top three spots during those competitions. I took part in my last pageant when I was in Grade 8 at Emmanuel High School after which I decided to focus more on my academics. The love for pageantry however remained with me and when I received the happy news that I was going to represent my Province, I was humbled, honoured and excited to have been selected as a semi-finalist,” said Zanazo.
She said she decided to enter the competition in order to showcase how her skills and talents can be utilised for the upliftment of others.
“This pageant has reignited the fire and desire I always had for modelling. I made a vow to pursue my interest to encourage others to live to their fullest potential. As an educator, I have gotten the opportunity to understand that each individual is unique and gifted differently. Hence I have made it my mission to mentor these individuals in order to strengthen and nurture what is already instilled within them and help them find the correct platform to display their talents. Through this I have had the fulfilment of seeing the youngsters I teach excel academically, artistically and holistically,” she said.
Zanazo added that her experience in the education sector produced good results.
“I am part of the school-based support team at the school. I pride myself in exposing my learners to external science competitions, such as the national science olympiads, as well as the Department of Water and Sanitation competitions where I had the joy of seeing my learners excel and took third place in the provincial competitions.
“Outside of the classroom, I am part of a non-profit organisation (NPO) called Uprising Women that focuses on the upliftment and development of women. Through my expertise in the pageant industry, I have mentored and managed the 2021 Miss Heritage Northern Cape winner, including the Mr and Mrs June 16 2022 title winners,” she said.
The chief executive officer (CEO) of Mrs South Africa, Joani Johnson, said they selected Zanazo to be part of the semi-finals as she embodies the values that Mrs SA holds dear.
“Zanazo is a representative of our tagline for the year, #EveryWoman. We look forward to going on this journey with her and her fellow sisters. We are proud to work alongside so many strong, formidable and inspirational married women and to empower them through our pillars of community, self-development, and networking to be the leaders and social game-changers that we need in this country,” said Johnson.
“Our experienced mentors will teach all participants skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, marketing, self-promotion and self-discovery throughout the year to ensure that all participants have a truly life-changing experience.”
