Semi-finalist sets her sights on title

The semi-finalist of Miss Earth SA 2016 is involved in community work.

Tembisa’s Miss Earth semi finalist, Ms Katlego Rachoene, attended a chess competition on June 16 as the guest speaker and visited the Tembisa Child Welfare to speak on environment issues.

On June 10 she cleaned Winnie Mandela Park at Reagile Primary School and worked on an educational workshop with grade 3 pupils, focusing on waste recycling and up-cycling (using discarded items in a different way).

She also took part in another cleaning campaign on June 24, in partnership with the City of Ekurhuleni, in the Tembisa 2 Duduza area.

“Reagile Primary School was observing environment day and we acknowledged it by cleaning the school yard and the surrounding area,” said Ms Rachoene.

She said she was well received at the school.

“The staff was very supportive. The learners were very excited about the up-cycling project and participated fully,” she said.

“The City of Ekurhuleni dispatched a team of field workers to support our Miss Earth semi-finalist in the cleaning campaign,” said a community leader, Mr George Chauke.

Mr Chauke was instrumental in making the Miss Earth semi-finalist’s community projects possible.

“He helped me to infiltrate the community to share my knowledge on environmental issues,” said Ms Rachoene.

Ms Rachoene is currently studying environmental sciences.

“We generate so much waste and landfills are full. The solution is to up-cycle and recycling. One can make a living out of recycling. It can help in poverty alleviation and fight unemployment,” she said.

Miss Earth SA is a leadership programme aimed at empowering young women to be ambassadors for the environment.

“We go into disadvantaged communities to raise awareness on factors that negatively affect the environment,” said the Miss Earth semi-finalist.

She said this is the first pageant she has entered.

“I came across a magazine article and saw the competition being advertised. I entered and made it through the first round. The second round was interviews and I succeeded. I am now a regional semi-finalist where we are given tasks for community involvement,” said Ms Rachoene.

This Tembisa young lady represents the Ekurhuleni district.

Ms Rachoene is asking Tembisa residents to support her as she tries to win the title of Miss Earth SA 2016.