Ruimsig resident crowned as Mrs Johannesburg

Ruimsig resident, Evangeline Solomons was crowned Mrs Johannesburg 2022 on November 20 in Fourways. Evangeline, who was still ‘recovering’ from the high of her win, said she was overjoyed and ecstatic.

“This win is momentous for me. I feel victorious because this means there is a higher plan for me. It makes me a better person than I was yesterday. I will try my best to ensure families are nurtured, protected, guided and restored. I now have power to make a difference where humanity is needed.”

The Mrs Johannesburg pageant is a fundraiser for the Role Models Foundation, an NPO that works to create places of safety for the less advantaged through education and skills development. For Evangeline, philanthropy is not only close to her heart – it has been at the top of her mind, particularly this year.

She shared the journey from entering to finally taking the reins as the queen. “There were a number of activities I had to raise fund for by getting sponsors,” she began. “I collaborated with my kids’ school to collect non-perishables and clothing, which contributed to our Power Tower food drive. One of my events was hosting a high tea together with other finalists, and I also won the Best Hostess Award.

“Part of this journey also needed mental focus, and lots of coaching had to be done to stay on track. The build-up to the pageant was the exciting part because of all the girly stuff and bonding with the other finalists.”

She admitted that the world of pageantry had never been on her radar as she is an entrepreneur, founder of Women In Business seminars, mother and wife. “When I got nominated, my first thought was ‘no, I can’t do this. It’s too much effort’, but on the other hand, I have been through grief, happiness and trying to balance life. So I asked myself ‘what is my purpose?’ My purpose was to be seen and heard to the broader community and to vulnerable citizens who need our help. Having experienced ups and downs prompted me to embark on this journey. However, this was a tough role to embrace; never in a million years did I think one of my paths was participating in a pageant.”