The love and support of her family is what keeps Iminathi Dondolo going and encourages her not to give up - enjoying what she does is just a bonus.
This is what the 16-year-old from Khayelitsha told Vukani when asked about her decision to enter Miss Teen SA 2023, where she has reached the finals.
The well-spoken young women has been modelling since the age of six months but is new to pageantry. She said she started doing pageants so that she could use her beauty to help the needy.
“My late aunty is the one who influenced me when it comes to giving, even if you don’t have much yourself. She believed that the hand that gives is more blessed than the one that is receiving.
She entered the Miss SA Teen competition for the same reason.
“I have a goal because once I win this I will be able to reach a wide audience and spread awareness about my campaign so that I can support people living in poverty. But even if I do not win, I know I would have tried my best and I will continue with my campaign. I’m not really scared of rejection,” she said.
As part of the pageant, Ms Dondolo started Small Steps To Change with the aim of making a difference in townships.
“I have a project that I'm working on where someone lost their home and I'm trying to source funds and material so that they can rebuild but the bigger plan is to win this so that I can spread my wings,” she said.
She is calling on the community to support her.
‘’I need more support from everyone to bring the crown home to the Western Cape. I’m aiming to make this campaign bigger and reach as many people as possible.“
She said her family have always supported her.
“This is the first time that I have entered this beauty pageant and my parents were very supportive even though my father was bit sceptical as he feared the negative criticism that I might get. I feel that everyone in the family has always had this dream for me,” she said.
Ms Dondolo encouraged other young women to sit themselves down and look within so that they could identify what they wanted in life and work on that.
"No one is going to come and serve you with your dreams but you need to take responsibility for yourself and your future,“ she said.
Ms Dondolo would like to pursue modelling professionally as a career however, she would also like to be a doctor. You can help her to claim the crown by voting. To vote, visit https://www.missteenagersa.co.za/voting