Midrand resident, entrepreneur, mentor and confidence advocate Léchar Knezovich recently returned from the United States after representing South Africa competing for the title of Mrs International 2026.

Held in Skokie, Illinois, the international competition brought together accomplished married women from around the world, each representing their country and a cause close to their heart.

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Knezovich placed in the international top 5. She was also awarded the Social Media Award and the Mrs Congeniality Award.

“Representing South Africa on an international stage was an incredible honour,” she said. “You suddenly become aware that you are carrying your country with you. I wanted to represent South Africa with authenticity and show what is possible when you are willing to keep stepping outside of your comfort zone.”

At the heart of her journey was her passion for confidence development and the work she does through Walking in Confidence, an initiative focused on empowering young girls through four pillars: identity, voice, presence, and exposure.

Her road to the international stage included many different chapters. From living and working abroad to entrepreneurship, career changes, setbacks, motherhood, mentorship and public speaking, Knezovich said each experience has contributed to the woman she is today.

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“People often see the stage, the interview or the final result, but they don’t necessarily see all the moments that came before it. Confidence isn’t about never feeling nervous or doubting yourself. It is about learning that those feelings don’t have to stop you from showing up.”

Knezovich’s international journey also had another special Midrand connection. For her private interview at Mrs International, she teamed up with local Midrand designer Sherif Tailor to create the suit she would wear for one of the most important parts of the competition.

The private interview accounted for 50% of the overall score, and Knezovich wanted an outfit that reflected her personality while making her feel confident, polished and completely herself.

“There is so much talent right here in Midrand. I loved that I could get on a plane, travel halfway across the world and walk into one of the biggest interviews of my life wearing something that had been created right here at home.

“International opportunities can sometimes feel as though they exist somewhere far away from us. This experience reminded me that the people, businesses, ideas and talent within our own communities are capable of belonging on those stages too.”

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Her vision through Walking in Confidence is to reach thousands more girls. “The international stage was an incredible experience, but coming home and asking what I can now do with that experience matters even more to me.”

She hopes her journey will also remind women and girls within her own Midrand community that their current circumstances do not determine the size of what they can pursue. “You don’t have to come from somewhere extraordinary to do something extraordinary.

I came home to Midrand with a top 5 international placement, two international awards and an even bigger vision for what comes next. If another girl or woman reads my story and starts believing that something bigger might be possible for her too, then the journey has meant something.”

Readers can download the free Walking in Confidence journal at: https://drive.google.com/drive/mobile/folders/13-Gv8GWwEX73GIXZQ2bGMaC5lDu0KCuI

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