Neo’s limits stretch beyond the sky
This former flight attendant aimed for the moon and landed among stars
POLOKWANE – Aviation is in her blood.
That is the only way to describe Neo Makgale, a 33-year-old mother and wife who runs her own aviation training company, NeoHeights Aviation, which offers an eight week training course to aspiring flight attendants.
Not only that, she also tends to her wifely and motherly duties and is the founder of a pageant.
“I am a modelling coach and I also have a range of wedding gowns, which is my other business,” she said. Neo is married to Aobakwe, also known as Barcos, and they have a son.
“I was born in Groothoek Hospital in Limpopo and grew up in Lebowakgomo township. I was raised by my grandmother and my aunts and uncles, and later moved in with my parents after they were settled,” she said.
She matriculated in 2000 at Agricultural High School Kuschke and studied media communications with Boston Media House in 2003. She also obtained a certificate in public relations with Unisa in 2015.
“The Queen of the North pageant was birthed in 2016 and the concept was inspired by the beauty and brains of the young people we have in Limpopo who have so much to share with the world. I have met many aspiring models who were fit to spread their wings as ambassadors to the world. I believed that I could create a platform for them to show off their skills and talents. Most of them feel the industry in the province does not give them many platforms to expand which is why I decided to found the Queen of the North pageant.”
Neo has worked on a few fashion shows such as the satellite show of the Durban July in 2015 and the Limpopo Cultural Fashion weekend in 2016.
“This will be the first pageant I host and it will take place on 30 September in Polokwane. The venue will be published soon. I am overly excited as it is basically a pageant launch,” she said.
Neo added her target market within her business would be young women residing in the province’s five districts, between the ages of 16 and 27, who believe they have what it takes to be a queen, and ambassadors who possess the qualities of a queen.
“The girls who want to pursue a career in modelling need to know that it’s not all about showing off your body. It means they must take their skills and make the best of them. Being a model backed up by education can make you the best you can be. You can be a role model to your peers and those younger than you,” she said.
She believes being a model gives one a platform to impart one’s knowledge and experience to the world.
“Models should take advantage of their role to tell their own stories that will make the world a better place. There’s a lot I can share about myself but I would say I’m a God-fearing woman and I love promoting the growth and development of young women. I love motivating people to be the best they can be and sharing my experience with the world.”
She concluded by telling BONUS that having travelled to over 65 countries in the world as a South African Airways and Qatar Airways flight attendant, she has developed a love for different cultures and good food around the world.
“I enjoy great music and meeting new people and also love grooming models and teaching them about personal grooming,” she said.
