MRS Earth International South Africa 2024 finalist, Annikie Rabohlale, is set to embark on her journey and represent South Africa on the global stage in the Philippines.

Mrs Earth International beauty pageant celebrates empowered women who advocate for children's welfare and protect the earth, and focus on sustainability, community impact and a legacy of positive change.

Rabohlale is a 25-year-old model who hails from Limpopo but currently lives in Pretoria.

She is a BA in Communications Sciences graduate, who is currently pursuing her Honours in International Communications and Media Studies.

Rabohlale said that her reason for entering Mrs Earth International South Africa was because she wanted a new challenge for herself, and the reigning Mrs Earth International, Kena Chibuye, is the one who encouraged her to enter the beauty pageant, although she has always been passionate about pageants.

“I have been in direct contact with the reigning queen, Kena Chibuye and she’s the person who encouraged me to enter. And I was hooked, then I went for it.

“I have always been a pageant enthusiast and believed in the beauty of my dreams. I also believe in joining hands to help each other where we can, hence I’ve been passionate about community projects since my first pageant in 2016,” she shared.

Ahead of the finale, Rabohlale started a project of donating reusable sanitary towels at a local Children’s Village in Mamelodi.

The model and former Empress South Africa title-holder in 2019 shared that her advocacy urges our country’s government to enhance the educational curriculum systems and adopt relevant technological advancements that would enable entrepreneurship and job creation.

Rabohlale revealed that even though the preparations have been challenging, she is excited ahead of the finale.

“The preparations have been hectic but I’m so excited about my eco-tourism video, my eco-friendly dress, my national costume and my recycled outfit. I’m actually excited to travel outside of Africa for the first time and I’m looking forward to meeting the ladies from other countries,” she said.

Rabohlale also shared that Mia le Roux’s crowning as Miss South Africa changed the normal societal expectations about beauty pageants.

“Mia is a young beautiful and capable woman contributing to South Africa through her individual excellence. Living with a disability does not mean you are not destined for greatness and you should not believe in the beauty of your own dreams.

“What she did is exactly what is needed, not only in South Africa but the whole wide world, to disrupt the norm and defy societal impediments,” she said.

Rabohlale further added that what happened to Chidimma Adetshina was sad, and that she did not deserve the treatment she received.

“I would say that it is very sad and unfortunate on how her Miss SA journey turned out. However, she did not deserve the punishment of being trolled and called names. We are all Africans and we should learn to call out each other on their mistakes with calmness and consideration.”

Mrs Earth International finale will take place on December 9 at SMX Convention Centre in Manila at 7.30pm.

IOL - Kamogelo Makhura

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South Africa’s Mrs Earth International finalist, Annikie Rabohlale ready to make her global stride