This week on Timeless Beauty with Brains, we spoke with Lerato Napo, the mother of talented and bright Phagamiso “Miso” Napo, an 8-year-old pageant queen from Burgersfort, Limpopo, who has been crowned International Junior Miss South Africa Junior Pre-Teen 2024/2025. With six years in the pageant industry, Miso boasts over 36 titles at local and international levels. She is also a catwalk model and an ambassador for UDFashion House by Manyaku M. At the IJMSA competition finale on December 19, 2024, she won awards for Leadership and Best Interview. Miso will represent South Africa at the International Junior Miss pageant in the USA in 2026.
Thulane Madalane: Can you share what it means to you as a mother to have your daughter crowned as the IJMSA Jnr Pre-Teen queen?
Lerato Napo: This was not our first entry into IJMSA, so it was a proud moment. We set targets and goals for ourselves, and winning the crown validated that one should not give up after the first try. Instead, stand up, review what you did, rework your strategy, and try again.
TM:What qualities do you believe contributed to your daughter’s success in the pageant?
LN: Persistence and hard work. She never gives up or gets disheartened by a loss; for her, it is always a lesson. She discusses the competition to figure out where she could improve. She gives her all in practice sessions and sacrifices time with friends to prepare for the next competition.
TM: How have you supported her on this journey, both emotionally and practically?
LN: Emotionally, I encourage her and manage her stress levels, allowing her breaks and rest. This experience should be fun for her. Practically, she attends coaching classes once or twice a week, depending on her schedule, and does public speaking at school to become fluent. We also attend community events to help her socialize.
TM: What challenges have you faced as a parent during this pageant experience?
LN: The biggest challenge in most pageants is finances. Pageantry can be very expensive when all the costs are added up. Additionally, there was a 14-month gap between entry and finale, which dragged the process out.
TM:How do you and your daughter prepare for pageant events and appearances?
LN: Preparation depends on the event and her role. For speaking engagements, we prepare her speech by researching the topic and watching videos. She writes her speech, which I edit before we refine it together to suit her understanding. Then, we plan her outfit according to the theme. For appearances or crowning events, we focus on her outfit and ensure she has her sash and crown ready.
TM: What values or lessons have you instilled in her that you think are important for her role as queen?
LN: Be humble and listen more than you speak. Look at people when they talk to you; it’s important to use all your senses since,communication involves more than just words. Allow people to correct and contribute positively, and communicate clearly and respectfully. Remember, you represent more than just yourself; you are a brand that represents other brands as well.
TM: Can you describe a memorable moment from the pageant that stands out to both you and your daughter?
LN: There are many, but one special moment was when she didn’t receive an award she had been eagerly anticipating. She was so disappointed she cried, and it was the first time she had cried so hard about not winning. I worried because the next day she had an on-stage competition, and this could affect her performance. To cheer her up, we went for ice cream and dancing, which we both love. We had a wonderful time as mother and daughter. She went to bed happy and woke up ready to take on the world.
TM: How do you manage the balance between her responsibilities as queen and her everyday life, such as school and friends?
LN: Planning is essential. At the start of the year, we inform her teachers about her modeling commitments to ensure she stays on track. We minimize modeling during the week to focus on practice before a pageant. She has no friends over during the week and limited access to electronic devices unless for school or preparation—one hour a day at most. Most of her socializing occurs during school hours and weekends.
TM: In what ways do you think participating in pageants has impacted her personal growth?
LN: My daughter is very reserved and can come across as shy.However, through modeling, I’ve seen her confidence soar, and her social skills have greatly improved. She can hold conversations with children and adults without any problems.
TM: What advice would you give to other parents of children interested in pageants?
LN: Pageantry is not about fulfilling your own dreams; only enter your child if they have an interest. It’s a lot of work and takes time away from other activities, requiring significant financial and emotional investment.
TM: How important is it for you to teach her about charity and community service through her role?
LN: Charity and community service are essential to me because they’ve always been a part of my life. Growing up, my mother was involved in these activities, and I continue this tradition with my daughter. It’s more than just another activity; it’s part of our family legacy. We also stress that not all charity work has to be public; some acts of kindness can be private, and we must respect that others have different approaches.
TM: What kind of impact do you hope your daughter will make during her reign?
LN: Miso loves reading and writing, so we will focus on literacy during her reign. She has shown interest in local libraries and their services, so library visits, book fairs, and reading events for kids will be part of her initiatives.
TM: How do you celebrate her achievements and milestones throughout her pageant journey?
LN: She often has a gift in mind that she wants, but for this pageant, she was thrilled to be on the cruise and asked that if she wins, we not make excuses—she’s going to the USA!
TM: What are your hopes and dreams for your daughter beyond her reign as queen?
LN: She aspires to be a doctor and to compete for the Miss SA title, with plans to bring home the Miss Universe crown. I hope to support her in achieving her dreams while allowing her to adapt and change them as needed. My wish is for her to always strive to be her best self and not settle for anything less. Most importantly, I want her to be happy and at peace with her life.
TM:Finally, what advice would you give to your daughter as she continues her journey in life and pageantry?
LN: Put God first, and everything else will follow. Present your dreams and hopes to God before discussing them with anyone else. Remember that you are who God says you are, and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. Life is what we make it, so aim to be happy and at peace with who you are and where you are. Follow Miso Napo’s journey on Instagram: misonapo and Facebook: Miso Napo.
Leave a comment
