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Given Mmane crowned as Mrs Africa South 2017

Given Mmane, former Mrs Rustenburg 2011, was crowned as Mrs Africa South 2017 at the O.R Tambo Protea Hotel on 16 December 2016.

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ShowMe Rustenburg met with her and found a shining example of beauty with a cause. Her personal mission is to attract and grow an ever increasing number of individuals who seek to make a positive difference to both their own lives and those around them and this is evident in all she does.

Who is Given? Tell us about yourself:

I am 37 years old, a wife, and mother to two girls aged 8 and 4. My husband and I have been married for 8 and a half years and we have dedicated our lives to serving God and our community.

I’m from a rural village called Sefikile, I grew up there and started school there. I also experienced life in a boarding school when I attended Herman There High. In 1997 I started studies in Education at Mankwe College of Education with the University of North West. After completing the diploma in Education, I obtained a B.A Hons degree in Dramatic Arts and a post graduate diploma in Digital Animation from Wits University.

How did you get involved in beauty pageants?

My modelling career took off when I entered the Mrs Rustenburg 2011 pageant and won the title. This title enabled me to do more than enough charity work around Rustenburg without people questioning my motives. One of the requirements for the Pageant was full support of More Ster children’s home. During my year of reign, I worked with a lot of disadvantaged members of the community to get them clothes and blankets during winter, we planted trees and flowers at 4 schools during abour week, judged school Pageants, gave motivational speeches to young women etc.

In 2014, I entered Mrs United Nation South Africa and amazingly I made it to the top 10. During this time, I launched a social group for young women called “Given’s Angels”. This group is meant to build, educate, motivate and mentor young women form the age of 16. I also supported Grace Help Center with clothes and nappies. I offered motivational talks for Non profit organizations and NGOs.

In 2016 I entered Mrs Africa and on 16 December, I was crowned Mrs Africa South 2017. I continued to do charity work as a Mrs Africa Finalist and now that I won, the journey continues. I would like to thank the Rustenburg community for their votes and the charity support while I was still a finalist.

I’m still continuing with Given’s Angels and I’m excited because I’ll be getting a new group of Angels in April.

Would you say that modelling was an enriching experience?

Since I started modelling, I’ve grown so much as a person, I have even registered a company (Onalekgato Consultancy Empire) that deals with lifestyle consultation. Motivation is a big part of it because I have seen that we all need motivation from time to time. It also gave me the perfect platform to do charity work and make a difference.

With all the Pageant obligations, charity work and motivational talks, do you have time for other interests ?

Yes, I am a teacher at a local community college called Iphatlhose. I also love watching movies, reading (especially self-help books), public speaking and travelling. I’m also an aspiring author.

You mention that you enjoy travelling, do you travel frequently?

I don’t travel as much as I would like but hopefully that will change once I’m more established in Business.

My favourite destination for now on the entire planet is the Mpumalanga province in S.A.
This province embodies the spirit of Africa with it’s beautiful landscapes that ranges from mountains and valleys to potholes and rivers. It has a rich culture of the Swazi and Ndebele people.

Does your passion for Mpumalanga extend to the whole of South Africa?

First of all, I’m an African and South Africa is the shining star of Africa. This is a country that everyone in the world would like to visit and I was born here, that in itself is a blessing. We are a fairly young democratic country and we manage to live together through all our differences. We are still free to do a lot of things i.e. freedom of speech, freedom of religion, we are free to practice our traditions etc. I’ll choose South Africa every time!