Ivory Park’s Naledi aims for prestigious title
'I want to become a role model who will inspire and motivate women across the country'
A 32-year-old Ivory Park resident is a finalist in the Ms Africa Elite 2019 pageant.
By profession, Naledi Ramaboea is a strata control officer. She forms part of the support team of the rock-engineering department at Sibanye Stillwater’s platinum operations. Having contributed substantially to the mining industry for the past 10 years, Naledi has spent four of those years working as a strata control officer in an underground environment.
Being a proud South African, she believes in the empowerment of women and lives according to the principles of love, peace and unity. Naledi believes that God has given each one of us a purpose and is using her as an instrument to reach out to people’s compassion and hearts to make a significant difference.
After completing matric, she volunteered to be a peer counsellor at Elim Clinic in Tembisa (Kopanong section) to help the youth recover from substance abuse. Drug use among the youth has become a major issue not only in Ivory Park and Tembisa, but worldwide.
As a volunteer at Elim Clinic, Naledi realised she has a passion for helping people and changing their lives for the better.
“Every year as a family we donate pre-loved clothes to disadvantaged families in South Africa and in Zimbabwe. I was raised by my late grandparents, who taught me about the value of selfless giving without expecting anything in return from a young age,” she said.
Naledi entered Africa Pageants because the finalists are selected not only for their beauty, height or weight, but also for their desire to make a difference in their communities.
The pageant focuses on building ambassadors.
“I want to become a role model who will inspire and motivate women across the country to never let their circumstances define them and never to give up on their dreams regardless of how small or big. Africa Pageants emphasises the splendour of Africa through its brand and magnificent title-holders and finalists where their women shine globally.”
Since being announced as a finalist, Naledi has been working hard to raise funds for the three official Africa Pageants Foundation charities. “My mother and I have been selling cupcakes to raise money for the three charities.”
She has further contributed to the community since being named as a finalist.
“I visited Tshimollo Disability Home Care in Kaalfontein to spend time with the children. I also donated bedding and cupcakes and supplied three adolescent girls with three Dignity Dreams washable pads, which will last them up to five years.
“I also supplied young women in Ivory Park with a pack of Dignity Dreams washable pads. My aim is to supply more young girls in Ivory Park with these washable pads, but the biggest challenge is securing sponsors.”
The pageant week and gala event will take place from November 23 to December 2 at Buffelspoort.
How to vote for Naledi:
• Simply SMS the unique code MSE01 to 47018. SMSes cost R2. Voting will close on November 30 at noon.
• Like her photo @Africa Pageant Official Page to help her win the Ms Africa Elite public choice award.
• To donate towards her journey as a finalist, SMS MSE01 to 40113. SMSes cost R20.
• Readers can follow Naledi on her Facebook page @Ms Africa Elite Finalist – MSE01/Naledi Ram
• On Instagram: @nalediram
