Abigail de Jager (19) from Nelspruit, is the second provincial representative in the top 30 of Miss South Africa. Here follows her interview with Sun International:

What is your occupation:

I am currently studying BCom business management at Stellenbosch University. My goal in obtaining this qualification is to equip and prepare myself for entering the business world one day.

I believe that the university experience truly shapes one, especially when studying so far from home. It teaches me how to be independent, it’s remarkable how I’ve grown in the last year.

Why do you want to be Miss SA and what do you think you will bring to the role?

I would like the opportunity to reach out to others who aren’t as lucky to have such a blessed life.

I would love to be a blessing to an even larger group. I would bring my personality and sense of humour, as my name means Father’s joy, to the role. I love to laugh and believe that a day without laughter is a day wasted.

Who is a previous Miss SA who has inspired you and why?

Jo-Ann Strauss. She has managed to keep up appearances, if one can put it that way.

She didn’t just fade after her year of reign, she managed to start a career afterwards, where she continues to help and inspire others.

I feel that you shouldn’t just have a year’s reign and then it’s all over.

Who are your role models? Who has inspired you and why?

Malala Yousafzai, she is known for her activism for education for women. The Taliban had at times banned girls from attending school. Malala, at the age of 11/12, wrote a blog under a false name for the BBC detailing her life under Taliban rule, as well as her views on promoting education for girls. She was nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize by South African social rights activist Desmond Tutu. On 9 October 2012, Yousafzai was shot in the head and neck in an assassination attempt by Taliban gunmen while returning home on a schoolbus. Even though she was attacked for what she believed in, she kept on fighting for what she was passionate about.

Tell us a bit more about your family:

My mother is a teacher at Hoërskool Nelspruit. She is strict, but has a great sense of humour as well.

My father is a civil engineer at Lidwala, he is serious but has a very warm and kind heart. I have two sisters; Charlotte (20) who is studying BSc consumer science at Potchefstroom. We are extremely close and I consider her one of my best friends.

Liezl (16), my younger sister, is very sporty and energetic. We grew quite close in 2012, as it was just the two of us at home.

I have a very open relationship with my parents and am very close with both of them. I also have an extremely supportive and loving family in Cape Town, consisting of my two uncles (and aunts) as well as my three cousins.

My family is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the greatest treasures in my life!

What do you do in your spare time?

Walking and hiking are definitely my favourite pastimes. I’m starting to read again, now that I’m on holiday and have more time.

Next year SA will celebrate its 20th year of democracy. What does that mean to you?

I’m a freedom baby, so I am lucky to have skipped the whole apartheid period. Democracy means to respect others and their abilities or disabilities, not to exclude or belittle anyone for not fitting the mould. Democracy means to accept everyone for what they have to offer and embrace and use it, instead of shooting it down.

What is your message to young girls and women in South Africa?

That they should stay true to who they are and what they believe in. People should not compromise their values in order to fit in with their surroundings or be accepted.

If you won the Miss SA crown and were able to meet one person, who would it be and why?

Beyoncé, I love her! She just has an absolute passion for what she does.