Bridget Patji (19) from Thabina Village outside Tzaneen says that beauty pageants are still relevant in the modern day community.

“Pageants serve as a platform to empower women, because they create a sense of sisterhood and also gives us a chance to make a difference in our own communities,” explained Patji.

Empress South Africa is the national title of the Miss Eagle SA online beauty platform.

The University of South Africa second year law student, has been involved in different kinds of community work including heading a pad drive for local learners, helping out at Barnaviya Pre-School in Tshwane and she cleared the bush in one of the fields of elderly subsistence farmers in the Mogoboya area.

Also read: Pageant queens take Tzaneen to the world

Her mother, Modjadji Patji says she was surprised to learn that her daughter had entered the competition, because growing up she never showed any interests in beauty pageants.

“I entered this competition because I wanted to prove to myself that I can do it and that I’m capable of also winning,” Patji added.

The young beauty also told Letaba Herald that she was inspired by the reigning Miss Empress South Africa, Tshepo Makupu, because she is an intelligent and a driven woman.

Help Patji move to the next level in the competition by SMSing Bridget P to 35334 or visiting her Face book page Bridget Patji Empress South Africa Semi Finalist 2019.