MISS MPUMALANGA GIVING BACK TO HER COMMUNITY

BY KUTLWANO MOFOKENG
Reigning Miss Mpumalanga, Claude Mashego is using her time to empower the youth from her village.
The 22 year old medical student was crowned Miss Mpumalanga in May.
” It has been an exciting journey for me. Being crowned the Miss Mpumalanga also gave me an opportunity to give back to my community. I am part of initiatives and mentorship programmes that help people from my village in Thulamahashe. I work with learners from my former high school, Orhovelani. I assist learners with self development, awareness, self discovery and also provides them with academic support,” she said. Mashego said people from villages are less exposed to different career opportunities.
“A number of children from my village have limited information about opportunities that are our there. I want them to know that only the stars are the limit for them,” she said.
She also encouraged parents to support their children’s dreams.
“My mother has been my biggest supporter. She was Miss Bushbuckridge back in the day but because people were not open and exposed to pageants and with not a lot of support she had to stop competing,” she said.
Mashego said she has accomplished a lot through the support of many, especially God. “I don’t believe in limitations and I am also very big on breaking rules and perceptions that people implement onto others.” she said.
Her words of encouragement to the youth is to always focus on yourself.
“No one knows what you are capable of except you, and even you don’t know your full potential until you tap into it. Explore different things and do what you like but be careful not to over commit yourself,” she said.