Fortunate hopes for great fortune

Passionate, self-aware and a dream chaser are three words this beauty queen uses to describe herself.
Born and bred in Parys, Fortunate Mabeleng encompasses everything that embodies beauty and brains. She is a forensic science graduate from the University of the Free State, a tutor, a part-time reception administrator at Mediclinic and currently training to be a forensic officer at Northwest Forensic Pathology. This 25-year-old beauty is certainly a jack of all trades.

Now selected as a Miss SA Top 30 finalist, Fortunate is determined to become an agent for change in society.
“I feel there is a lot more I can do to serve my country than just being a citizen, especially in our health sector and education system,” she explained.
However, unlike most pageant entries, modelling wasn’t initially an interest for Fortunate. Instead, people would always tell her she looked like one. “I didn’t take it seriously until I decided to give it a try in 2017,” she said.
Fortunate entered Miss Glamorous Free State and became a finalist. “I decided to take a break after that and only gave it a try again four years later. “I entered for Miss SA but I wasn’t selected as a finalist,” she said.

Fortunate says failure has been a stepping- stone for many of her achievements and it has helped her redirect her strength to start all over again. This year, she did exactly that. Fortunate gave it one more try and entered Miss SA. To her surprise, she was selected to be in the Top 30. “Words cannot describe how I feel,” she said. “ I am excited for the journey and very thankful for the support I have.”

The 25-year-old adds that being Miss South Africa would be an honour.
“I would use this big platform to raise awareness around issues affecting women’s health. I would use the initiative, Wellness Check Wednesdays, to talk about women’s health,” she said.
Fortunate says she also wants to use the platform to teach young girls and women that they are more than just their physical appearance. “They are a tower of strength, a beacon of knowledge and a carrier of life,” she said.
Above all, Fortunate says she believes the most important part of a beauty pageant is being able to give back to the community. “Engaging in community service provides entrants with the opportunity to become active members of their community and has a lasting, positive impact on society,” she said.

“Community service enables entrants to acquire life skills and knowledge and provide a service to those who need it most.”
To get Fortunate to the Top 10, you have until 10 June to vote on the Miss SA app or the Miss SA website.