Miss Radiant SA finalist, Nthabeleng Monabe, says gratitude, drive and a change in perspective could be tools for us to stay motivated and never give up.
Nthabeleng (26) won’t stop at anything to achieve her dreams.
She’s a North-West University student, self-taught nail technician and a YouTuber who is committed to uplifting the youth. She also wants to encourage them never to give up, regardless of their circumstances.
Growing up was not easy for Nthabeleng. She was raised by a single mom, Tumelo Gloria Monabe, and is the eldest of four children. Regardless of what life handed her, however, she has learnt not ever to give up.
When completing her high school career, she, unfortunately, failed grade 12.
When she never saw her exam number in the newspaper, she became depressed and spent most of her time crying in bed. Thankfully, she was surrounded by people who loved and cared for her.
She gained a lot of support from her former school principal and family, especially her aunt, Motlalepule Monabe. Monabe encouraged Nthabeleng to write the supplementary exams. She wrote them at least twice but failed. However, when she thought about her dream of one day working in a hospital as a doctor or nurse, she put in an extra effort. She rewrote the exams for the third time and passed. She says this was possible because of her friend, Keletso Motlale, who helped her study.
Nthabeleng says all she wants to do is give back to her mother and ensure that she is well taken care of.
So, she furthered her studies and obtained her diploma in Sports Science at NWU. She is currently doing her degree in Sports Coaching and Human Movement Sciences and is working towards becoming a physiotherapist.
There were also a few stumbling blocks while she completed her diploma. She failed a few modules and had to repeat them in her second year. This motivated her to work harder and, in her final year, she received a certificate for receiving an average above 75 per cent. This happened around the time she underwent surgery for her tennis elbow. Nthabeleng says this motivated her to keep striving for more.
The shy, determined and persistent Nthabeleng pursued pageantry at a talent search competition in 2013. Then, in 2018, she entered the Miss Ikageng and Miss SA Model of the Year. Since then, she has grown to love it. She says she has learnt so much about herself and others. “I doubted and underestimated myself,” she said. Through pageantry, she has gained self-acceptance, awareness and confidence.
Miss Radiant SA is her most recent challenge. She also applied to enter Miss South Africa but, unfortunately, did not go through. “I told myself that everything has its own time.”
However, she plans to apply again next year.
Nthabeleng is a firm believer that God’s timing is perfect and that when He has something in store for you, it will happen.
She says till then, she plans to continue with her studies, Miss Radiant SA and uplifting her fellow community members, especially in Extension 11.
She believes there is a lot of potential for growth, especially for the youth. “A dream delayed is not a dream denied,” she quoted.
She thanks God, her principal, family and friends for their support and assistance. She also thanks the CEO of Miss Radiant SA, Teneal Fredericks, for believing in her.