World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Janine Pretorius Mrs Africa 2022.
Full name: Janine Pretorius
Title/Year: Mrs Africa 2022
Pageant System: Africa Pageants
Age: 32
Platform: Shoot for a purpose
Education Level: University Graduate
Zodiac sign: Scorpio
Hobbies: Dress designing and dressmaking
Years competed: 20 Years
Countries visited: None
Likes: People who are considerate towards others
Dislikes: Judgmental people
World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about yourself.
I am a mother of a 6-year-old boy and wife to an amazing husband. We have been married for 10 years. I am a qualified teacher. I taught senior grades for 11 years. In 2019, I decided to quit my teaching job and pursue a career in photography. I started my photography business 9 years ago as a hobby and now my hobby has become my full-time occupation. I would love to return to teaching in the future when my son is finished with school. Right now, I enjoy spending more time with my family, my charity work, and building my business and non-profit organization.
World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about your education.
I started my teaching job straight out of school as a student-teacher. My parents did not have the means to send me for tertiary education. In South Africa, it is extremely difficult to find a job, even if you have a university degree. I was fortunate to find this assistant teaching job. The school I worked at, helped me pay for my studies. I eventually managed to complete my degree through the post. By the time I graduated, I had my degree and my 5 years of experience.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does women empowerment mean to you?
For me, it is about creating something that has a lasting impact on someone's life. Something that would change their lives for the better.
Women Empowerment is not about showing the world what you do for others, it’s the time that you take out of your own life, to better someone else's life. Sharing one’s own knowledge and power is truly for Women's Empowerment. World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your pageant history.
I was 9 years old when I told my mom that I am ugly, she decided to send me to a lady in our town that did modeling classes. I was a shy little girl. I was thin, with long legs, big eyes, and freckles. The kids at school used to call me “Giraffe.” I hated myself growing up. I slowly started loving who I was when I realized how unique my features were when everyone started noticing me. I changed from a shy little girl into someone who is not afraid of speaking up and chasing my dreams.
My mom did not allow me to enter for pageants because she felt that pageants exploit girls.
When I was old enough to decide for myself, I entered my first pageant in Grade 11. I didn’t place at all, but I loved being on the stage. I entered a few more pageants after that. I have only placed in the top 3 once before I won my Mrs Africa title.
World Class Beauty Queens: What inspired you to do your first pageant?
In grade 11 a friend of mine won an international title. I used to watch her do pageants and the way she inspired other girls in our school. She talked me into entering for our school pageant.
Even though I did not do very well at this pageant, I was still proud of myself for having the courage to enter.
World Class Beauty Queens: Why did you choose to compete for your current title?
I wanted to enter a pageant that really made a difference. I researched for over 3 years before I decided to enter Mrs Africa. I did not want to enter a pageant where it was all about beauty and not what you had to offer as a person.
I looked at the previous winners and their accomplishments. I was amazed at how they were rewarded for the challenging work that they do during the finalist stage, and the recognition that they received once their reign was over.
World Class Beauty Queens: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system please tell us what is it about?
The mission of Africa Pageants / Mrs Africa is to give dignity back & assist in any way possible in the local communities & on the African Continent. World Class Beauty Queens: What are you being judged on during the competition?
We have a portfolio that we need to compile. This portfolio includes all your charity events, fundraising events, events attended, media exposure, etc. We get a score for our portfolio.
Then we also get judged on ramp walk, national costume, evening wear, and swimwear.
During pageant week, we also get scored on our personality, compliance, etc. World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your experience during the competition.
When I decided to enter, we were just at the beginning of the lockdowns, I did not know at that time, that the entire world would be turned upside down. I wanted to give up a few times during my finalist stage. It was difficult to find sponsors due to the economy. I had to work extremely hard to get all my funds together.
I learned so much about myself during my Mrs Africa journey. If you work towards your dreams, even when you want to give up, you must tell yourself that it will all be worth it in the end, even if you do not win a title. World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your platform or what cause do you volunteer for.
I started my own Charity Project in 2020, just after South Africa was in a hard lockdown. It really opened my eyes to the pain and suffering that is out there in the world.
I decided to bring my passion for photography and charity together in one project.
My project is called: “Shoot for a purpose.” People in my community donated bags and bags of clothing, but I wanted to give them something in return for their donation that would not cost me any money as I was also trying to raise funds for my other charity projects. I then decided to give each family that donated a family photoshoot in return.
My first attempt was slow, I did not get so many people that were interested. I then contacted my local newspaper, and they did an article on my project, after that article, I received so many bookings and donations, that I had to host the Shoot for a purpose over two weekends. World Class Beauty Queens: What are some of your achievements?
During pageants week I received the integrity award. For me being real and true to who you are is one of the best qualities that anyone can have. If you say that you will do something, then you must honor your promise. World Class Beauty Queens: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls?
My compassion towards other people and my crazy outgoing personality. Beauty can only take you so far in life. If you have an ugly heart full of judgment and hate people will start treating, you the same way that you treat them. World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about the moment your name was called out as the winner.
I envisioned my name being called out as the winner from the moment I entered. I dreamed about it for so long, and when the crowning finally took place, I did not expect to win at all due to my fellow contestant all being amazing women, all with their own qualities and amazing personalities.
It was a moment of disbelieve at first, and then when the 1st runner up turned around to give me a hug, and I realized that I have won, I just wanted to start crying, but there were no tears, just pure adrenaline. World Class Beauty Queens: What does it mean to you to be a Beauty Queen?
Compassion, class, style, and Integrity. It is easy to tell the world that you have won this huge title, but you do nothing after you have received your title. A true Queen lifts those up around her not for her own benefit but for the benefit of the person that she is helping. World Class Beauty Queens: How did competing in pageants helped your life?
Pageantry helped me to realize my true value. The value that I could bring to the world. I had so many people reaching out and getting involved in my charity projects and functions. World Class Beauty Queens: How did pageants help your self-esteem and body image?
I have never been a bikini type of woman even as a young girl. I knew that we would have to walk in swimwear for judging, I stressed about this so much the entire time being a finalist that I had nightmares. On the day of our swimwear judging, I quickly realized that everyone had to walk in their swimwear for judging, not just me. Everyone there had their own unique shape and did not look at all bothered. I quickly got my mindset straight and realized that no one was even bothered about my legs, or my arms being shown. World Class Beauty Queens: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there. How does it feel?
I feel fulfilled when a young girl walks up to me and asks me if she can have a photo with me because I inspire her. I feel that I have achieved something. My mother always said, you do not have to change the entire world, even if you just change one little girls' life. That is the day that you know, you have lived a fulfilled life. World Class Beauty Queens: What is your onstage strategy to win the judges over?
Always be yourself. Do not act and be a drama queen on stage and when you get off the stage you are someone else. Judges are judges for a reason. They see us differently when they must give us a score and they can very quickly pick up when someone is acting for the judges. World Class Beauty Queens: How did you prepare for your competition?
I studied our pageant guidebook like it was my bible. I followed the instructions exactly.
My ramp walk has never been my strong point, so I had to practice walking in high heels for at least 30 minutes every day. I started packing for pageant week 3 months in advance. World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for learning better pageant walk?
Record yourself when you walk on a ramp. Ask someone to look at it with you and get their point of view on your walk. You will quickly see what you are doing wrong.
Posture is extremely important, you can learn all the twists and turns, but if your posture is not correct, you would feel comfortable on the stage and the judges will see that. World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for choosing the right pageant dress?
Do not wear a dress with a long train, especially if you are planning to do fancy moves on stage. I once fell on stage because I tripped on my dress.
Always make sure that you wear the correct bra or have the correct support for your dress. I have seen girls exposing themselves on stage before due to bad dress planning. World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for winning interviews?
Interviews are always the scariest part of any pageant. I have been through a few interviews in my pageant career. You can practice all you want, if you are nervous, it will show no matter what you do.
I have learned that having a good introduction for your interview helps you guide the judges towards questions that will be easier for you to answer. If you lie in your introduction about something that you did when you were a finalist and the judges ask you a question about that, then you grasp at straws and you will immediately lose points. World Class Beauty Queens: What is one mistake that you have done during competing you wish you could redo and fix it?
Doubting myself and my value. World Class Beauty Queens: What other mistakes are made by girls during the contest?
Not being themselves. If you are not your true self, eventually you are going to get tired of acting like you someone you are not. A pageant is not only about being beautiful and fashionable but also about showing your true personality. World Class Beauty Queens: Any modeling or acting experience?
The only acting experience that I have is being an extra on a few South African soapies. World Class Beauty Queens: What are your plans for 2021/22 as a Queen?
My plan is to firstly enjoy my title. I worked hard to get it, and it is important to not just work, work and work once you receive your title.
I have a big project currently in the works. I am collecting cameras and photography gear that I will use to sponsor a few girls in my community. I will teach them photography and business skills as well as makeup and hairstyling so that they have a foundation to start their own businesses. World Class Beauty Queens: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
I simply just want to leave a better world behind than the world I currently live in. I cannot change the world, but I can start with something small. I want my children to have someone to look up to as they grow up. National Director: Carolyn Botha
Pageant website: https://www.africapageants.com/
Name of the Photographer and other credits
Makeup and Hair: The Nail Bunny, Make-up, and Beauty Salon under Glitz me UP Salon & Studio
Photographer: Wanitta’s Photography
Dress: Oh My Gosh Bridal Wear
I would like to thank my sponsors for supporting me:
The Nail Bunny, Make-up, and Beauty Salon under Glitz me UP Salon & Studio
Wanitta’s Photography
Oh My Gosh Bridal Wear
PicknPay South Africa
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you for this wonderful interview. Interview by Derek Tokarzewski Owner/Editor in Chief of World Class Beauty Queens Magazine.
Janine Pretorius Mrs Africa 2022, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, Makeup and Hair: The Nail Bunny, Make-up, and Beauty Salon under Glitz me UP Salon & Studio Photographer: Wanitta’s Photography Dress: Oh My Gosh Bridal Wear
Interview by Derek Tokarzewski Owner/Editor in Chief Mr United Nations 2018 Platform: Women Empowerment Ambassador to International Foundation for Orphans iffocares.org
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