Model from Bronkhorstspruit wants to help children

Simphiwe Masanabo (19) sees herself as a resilient powerhouse.

“My greatest strength lies in my ability to withstand storms,” said this model from Masada, a suburb in Bronkhorstspruit.

This former Hoërskool Erasmus learner is a finalist in the Miss Teen Model SA 2022 competition. Her modelling career began just over a year ago when she entered her very first pageant.

As a child, she suffered from low self-esteem and desperately wanted to step out of her comfort zone and “test” herself to see if she had what it took.

After seeing pageantry on television she decided to try it out. And the rest, as they say, is history.

“Pageantry opens up all kinds of opportunities and also gives one a platform to show off who you are,” said Masanabo.

“It also teaches you how to be a leader, how to market yourself on social media and I simply love the experience and excitement that came with all of that,” she explained.

A self-proclaimed dreamer and positive thinker, Masanabo believes that it all begins with you and how you deal with tough situations.

She is also a motivational speaker who loves writing and reading books that enhance her mind, the fresh outdoors and her family who has only been supportive of her modelling career.

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“I’d like to be a children’s psychologist one day, because a lot of trauma stems from childhood. I want to begin a foundation where I can assist children coming from abusive homes because it is close to my heart.

“Knowing that I contributed to the healing of children as well as establishing a safe place for them, would mean the world to me,” she said.

Masanabo also hopes to represent South Africa on an international level with her modelling. The Miss Teen Model SA finals take place at the Sandton Hotel on December 11.