Mosa Simphiwe believes in empowering the youth and recently she added the title of Miss Gauteng Exclusive to her name. She believes this will help her with her efforts to be an inspiration to the next generation.

The 19-year-old from Kagiso already held seven other titles before she added the Miss Gauteng Exclusive 2022 title, her first big one, on March 26. Mosa explained that although the moment was amazing, she had known in her heart that she would take the title.

My winning moment was truly magical. There was so much gratitude in my heart. I was expecting to win because I had written this title down on my vision board and in my journal, so I was very intentional with it. I’m a firm believer in speaking things into existence.”

She started her Miss Gauteng Exclusive journey in September 2021 when she was named one of the finalists.

“As a finalist I had to attend workshops which taught us about life and skills development, but most importantly how to develop campaigns that would align with the community work we had to do.”

She focused her charity work on community development and youth empowerment, and her first project was her #feedthecommunity project where she would hand out food in disadvantaged communities.

She followed this by handing out sanitary pads and toiletries at different schools in the community. The last project was her main project called #YouthWithADifference. She visited schools as part of her MosaSimphiwe Foundation and gave children career guidance, taught them how to apply to institutions, and how to venture into entrepreneurship.

Mosa said this win made her realise that she did have what it takes to one day be crowned Miss South Africa.

“My pageantry journey has taught me the importance of having a strong ‘why’. This field is very difficult if you don’t know why you’ve chosen it. It is not only glitz and glam; a whole lot of work goes into pageantry that you can easily give up on. But when you know your why, you can run with it.”

She explained that in the beginning she struggled with imposter syndrome – especially when she had to go to new places and meet new people, but she no longer struggles with it.

The Miss Gauteng Exclusive workshops were very much helpful to make me realise my potential and greatness. I’ve definitely realised that I am capable of so many things which I did not know before. I am a strong leader who is able to bring change.”