Get to know the new face of Mrs Soweto

Soweto born and bred business woman and new face of Mrs Soweto Empowerment Programme, Mel Tlhapi (38) is fast proving that she is a formidable face to represent the biggest township in the land.

She is proving that she is not only about beauty but possess the brains, sheer determination and grit to bring change in her community.

Urban News caught up with the reigning queen to talk about all things Mrs Soweto.

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Describe yourself in five words?

I would say I am funny, loving, ambitious, realistic and spiritual.

Your plans during your reign as Mrs Soweto?

The organisation has four pillars including women empowerment, charity, tourism and community assistance.

As a person who runs a business in the tourism space, I will be actively canvassing for the fast inclusion of young people into the working and business industry.

We are working with the Department of Economic Development in rolling out some of those plans. I will also advocate for mental health, I myself was diagnosed in 2013 with chronic depression which was triggered by a pregnancy and have been living with it for almost a decade.

People do not have enough information and the stigma has contributed to people shying away from seeking help.

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I am an anti-bullying advocate. My first born nearly lost her life to bullying which was sparked because of the colour of her skin.

We camp in schools, creating awareness about bullying and its subsequent effect and sensitising the school and all stakeholders.

Tell us about the Soweto Travel shop?

We were voted the best tour operator company in Soweto and next month I am supposed to collect an award in Nigeria for the top 100 under 40 travel entrepreneurs in Africa.

I started the travel agency in 2012, just after I was diagnosed with chronic depression because I found salvage in travelling.

I knew we needed to start sensitising especially the black society that it is rejuvenating and allows you to take on the world.

Many of us fall along the way looking for success but we forget to take care of ourselves so we are pushing people to spend time outdoors, exploring the beautiful cultural and historical sites in our country and on the continent.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

My inspiration is my children. They are my pillar and the reason I keep at it every day. I don’t want my children to struggle the way I did.

I don’t have a university qualification behind my name and somewhere that has disadvantaged me.

So I’ve made a promise to myself for that as long as their hearts are beating, it means God has given me another opportunity to go out there and make sure they don’t suffer like I did.

My struggles are the one thing that makes me look at my children differently and make sure my inspiration is drawn from them.

What’s the one thing you’d like to achieve post Mrs Soweto?

I want to see an annual women’s conference in Soweto and within that conference everything must be covered. I am talking about resolutions that will just serve the women and young people of Soweto, touring Soweto and a charity golf day boasting of hundreds of women.

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It needs to happen every year so that we can measure ourselves. If there is a legacy I am going to leave, it is a lifestyle change in Soweto.

We need to start changing our mind-sets because our minds are the engines, otherwise these cars which are our bodies will stay stagnant.

What is your wish for women in South Africa?

Don’t be too hard on yourselves, we are on a journey. The parked dreams that took a back step either because you got married or had children, it is time to go back to the drawing board and ignite that burning desire that kept you up at night.

Go back and revisit your initial dream because now is the time for you to live that dream.

Go out my queens, show up bold and take your rightful place where you belong- because you are capable of anything you put your mind to. Keep on shining that crown- and sometimes that means having to do it on your own.