The new Mrs SA was recently crowned after a gruelling year of hard work and charity drives leading up to the pageant. Mom, wife, and businesswoman Palesa Matjekane (35) sashayed with the crown along with first princess Hlengiwe Sabela and second princess Lèchar Knezovich. "I am so grateful for all the love, support, and votes. It has been a long journey, full of lessons and it has only just begun,' Palesa says. This is her second time entering Mrs SA, and after not making it in 2020, she was determined to win. "I want other women to learn from my patience and resilience,' she adds. "We hold all positions as women, and we owe to ourselves to chase our dreams no matter how big or small.Regardless of how many times you have tried, the aim is to never give up until you grab hold of that dream because it is possible. I am excited about the journey ahead and using a platform such as Mrs SA sisterhood to learn and grow with other women and remain united, paving a way for the next generation to come.'
FIVE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MRS SA 2023
1: Palesa owns the denim clothing brand Maison Lisa, which launched in April 2022. The name is derived from two women in her life that she calls 'her pillars of strength', her mother and grandmother are both Elisabeth so Lisa in short. Her grandmother Elizabeth Makwa was aspiring to be a designer when she fell pregnant with her mother Elisa Makwa. This brand force is a legacy of three phenomenal generations."I wanted to celebrate and pay homageto the women who made me who I am today. The women who groomed me and every garmentis made to honour them,' Palesa says.
2: Palesa wears many hats; Mrs.South Africa 2023 winner is a Group CEO at Formation Group Media, Founder of Women In Formation Africa Foundation, AU and UN Ambassador, Chef, and Public Speaker.
3: Palesa was born in Sebokeng. She fell in love with fashion when she travelled with her mother Elisa Makwa to New York, Brazil, and London. "I also hold a B.Com in Marketing and have been in the Marketing and Advertising industry for over 10 years before deciding to try my hand in the entertainment industry and use .show business to make a positive change,' she says.
4: As a beauty queen and model,Palesa has walked for South African Fashion Week countless times and as well as posed for billboard and magazine spreads. She worked for big fashion industries such as AFI, Prive Platinum Group, Jenni Button ,Hilton Weigner.
5: Palesa has been married for 10 years with two children Alexander and Gabrielle Matjekane. After having children and learning that women's bodies change and differ and the never-ending struggle to find perfectly fitting jeans, that are comfortable and fitting, Maison Lisa was born, produced locally in South Africa.
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