Nthaga: A Beauty Queen With A Purpose
Oleosi Kgosi | Monday July 24, 2017 14:49
She is currently a Bachelor of Science (General) student at the University of Botswana and her tenure as Miss Independence Kgatleng is coming to an end in September this year. She is also a freelance model who used to work for Awaited Models and is currently working for EM Influencer in association with Mmina Gaebonwe. She is also working as a talent search personnel and departmental leader for Game Changers Charity Organisation.
Speaking to Showtime, Nthaga revealed that she started beauty pageants as a teenager when she competed at Miss Teen Universe Botswana in 2014. “I would say that my love for pageants and beauty in general long began when I was young and I even went to an extent of calling myself Mpule Kwelagobe,” she said. She added that from a tender age she always paid attention to her fashion style and every details of her outfit mattered. She said her grandmother and mother were influential as they are style icons in their own form. “I watched fashion TV and was intrigued by how the girls rocked the ramp dressed in their fabulous outfits,” she said.
Nthaga said she ventured into pageantry because of an opportunity to assist the vulnerable groups in the society as she had already seen some beauty pageants do. “I really believe in beauty with a purpose and as I continue to grow, my vision is now vivid and broader as I also serve a purpose of closing the gap of women in science. This really motivates most of my community projects,” she said.
She highlighted that she wants to show the world that it is possible to have passion for beauty and still blaze in ‘male dominated’ careers. She said some of the projects she undertakes as Miss Independence Kgatleng include giving teddy bears to children at the pediatric department at DRM hospital as well as providing uniform to identified students in Kgatleng. “I am also a motivational speaker and I have done motivational speaking in various schools including Molefi Senior School and Bakgatle CJSS.” She also gave motivational speeches at a seminar hosted by Game Changers Charity Organisation and had an interview with Btv.
Nthaga said she is faced with the challenge of balancing school and her passion, but is determined because she wants to create a success story to be able to inspire someone one day. Nthaga said she is grateful for the support and tremendous love she is getting from her family, friends and the community. “My family members are my number one supporters especially my mother as she finances me when necessary, avails herself at every pageant I compete at and generally understands my dreams and plays a huge role of being my strongest advisor,” she said.
The beauty queen aspires to become one of the most powerful influencers and female activist in bridging the gap of women in science in the continent and the world at large. She also desires to venture into television presenting, join Miss Botswana and to participate in international runaways.
Nthaga advises young people to attain good education and work hard for what they want to become as well as use their talents and abilities to achieve their dreams. She added that they should refrain from alcohol and substance abuse. “Authenticity is key, don’t do something because someone else is doing it. Learn to be yourself,” she advised.