Fifteen-year-old Katlego Ncala has the world in her hands since being named Miss Teen World.
The Grade 9 Crawford-Sandton pupil, who took the title in Bodrum, Turkey, last month, told the Daily News she was, and still is, “very proud”.
This means that South Africans currently hold both the Miss World title – Rolene Strauss – and the Miss Teen World title.
“It is the first time a 15-year-old has won it, normally it is 17- and 18-year-olds,” she said.
She not only won the Miss Teen World title but was also crowned “Photo Model of the Globe”.
She said what distinguished her from the other competitors was when she turned her groove on during the “talent” section of the competition.
It was then that she performed a kwela dance to Mango Groove’s Special Star – and won the section.
“I gave 110 percent in everything I did so that no matter what happened, I would know I had done my best,” Katlego said.
Before the competition she ensured she followed a healthy diet, did practice runs and had about five dresses prepared in case of last minute changes.
Katlego, nicknamed “Kat”, said her friends were at first shocked to learn she had won, but after their initial disbelief, have been very supportive.
Katlego won Miss Teen Africa last year to qualify for this year’s Miss Teen World. She said she had learnt a lot about herself thanks to the competition, which had forced her out of her comfort zone.
Her grandmother, who was also a beauty pageant model in her day, and her mother, who was with her in Turkey, have been guiding her career.
She is the brand ambassador for the International Inspiring Women’s Network Foundation and gives talks on peer pressure and eating disorders.
“It is a lot of work and you have to be responsible,” she said.
Despite her success she says she still sticks to her motto of: “Work hard, stay humble and dream big.” She lives with her mother, father and sister in Fourways. A private teacher has helped her keep up with her studies.
When she does take time to relax, it is normally spent playing football at home. She names Orlando Pirates defender Patrick Phungwayo as her favourite player.
Her dreams do not end with Miss Teen World.
Katlego said she planned to enter Miss South Africa in 2022 and, if successful, would set her sights on Miss World. She hopes to pursue a BCom law degree when she completes school.
Daily News