Interview With The Beautiful Miss Pretoria- Kopano Mocwane
Hailing from the North West province, the reigning Miss Pretoria Kopano Mocwane is nothing but pure beauty who’s determined to show SA that she has more to offer than just her looks. Kopano Mozwane is beautiful, intelligent and smart. We clearly can’t deny that she is a girl with big dreams. In this inspiring interview, Kopano talks about her career, personal life and future aspirations . Check out what she had to say.
YV: How was Kopano as a child?
I was shy and introverted, I was soft spoken and quiet amongst people I wasn’t familiar to. Around my family, I was playful, lively and I spoke A LOT!
YV: What is it like to participate in beauty pageants?
Every person approaches them differently, for me it was a way to let out my more confident side, it was not a sport for me. Other girls and guys see it as a sport, but for me it was a sense of freedom and a way to achieve different and also get things, prize, holidays etc that I’ve always wanted.
YV: How do you prepare for pageants? Do you get nervous?’
Imagination is key to many successes. Like athletes imagine themselves running their races, go through it through their mind and softly in motion. I used to do the same thing, I would wear my outfits and plan my hair and make up so that nothing is a surprise. Then go through the pageant in my mind, by the time I got to the stage, it was all second nature
YV: Did your year as Miss SA Teen live up to your expectations?
Yes and no. Yes because I saw so much and learnt so much, it was amazing. No because it was not easy, it was difficult, it caused me to grow and be constantly challenged. It was also very short and unexpected.
YV: Surely you are aware of this more especially in your position as Miss Pretoria with so many young girls looking up to you. How do you feel about this?
It’s a lot of pressure, but if you live your life according to your rules, with no regrets, filled with happiness and live to the highest level of your potential, then you are worth being anyone’s role model.
YV: When did your interest in media production begin?
Throughout my year as Miss SA Teen, I was introduced to media production and the world of advertising as well, I have the opportunity to work with some amazing people and work on great brands and campaigns, the media bug bit me then and the rush has never left me.
YV: You were the international face of KNN in 2010, how was the experience like?
It was really cool, being the international face of World Kids News Network, presenting month news bulletins for kids around the world. It was amazing winning and international award for our work! I learnt so much about the different cities in the world. It opened up my world to so many truths and beautiful realities. It also made me aware of what was happening around the world.
YV: How important is education to you?
No one can take your education away from you! Money burns, cars, houses and clothing burns too. Success isn’t measured by material things. Education is the key to unlocking a world of endless opportunities. It can’t be taken away from you, it can’t burn or can it be stolen from you. It is yours forever.
YV: What has been your biggest achievement so far?
Starting my own company and having happy clients is a huge achievement for me. My Company, The Kopano Brand Company (TKBC) is a healthy and growing machine and I can’t wait to see how it will grow and how it will change the world.
YV: What do you believe are the major challenges facing women in South Africa?
Equality is still a huge problem. It has not always been easy for women to get the same opportunities, results and respect. It is sad that we have become accustomed to it instead of joining the fight to change it.
YV: Who do you look up to for inspiration?
Women like Khanyi Dhlomo, Basetsana Khumalo and Oprah Winfrey. Amazing women, who have changed their world’s and the world’s of those they touch. They have done it in grace and with such elegant fierceness!
YV: You have achieved a lot at a young age, how do you strike balance in your life?
It’s important to plan and know what it is you’re fighting for. I plan my live every five years, from 2010 – 2015 I planned to be exactly where I am right now. I plan my life according to what I have the power to change and master. I balance my plans for my future and put those plans on a huge vision wall. I make sure that I never lose sight of what’s important. Balance your plan and you will balance your life. My vision wall keeps me focused and helps me make better decisions every day.
YV: Tell us about Kopano the business woman, how is that going?
It’s so much work, I am so blessed. I am blessed to have such amazing clients who see the results and believe in me as much as I believe in them. Being at the head of a business is a big responsibility. If I don’t work then nothing comes out of my dreams, I am the only one who stands between me and my dreams. It’s a beautiful thing.
YV: What are some of the challenges you face daily running your business?
I started my business without any capital, so I have to always reinvest every cent that I make. Balancing that with my personal expenses and the needs of a growing business is really difficult. South Africans are risk adverse, it is hard to find someone to invest in something that isn’t already running and successful. But how do we expect aspiring entrepreneurs to succeed if we are too scared to invest in potential, it is so hard to get a business to the point where it is successful without any initial capital investment and so many fail to get off their feet let alone succeed to a point which would satisfy and investors.
How I see it, we should be more open to investment and then set up mentoring structures to ensure success. The only challenge there is balancing the innovative spirits of the new entrepreneurs and the experience of the mentors. We shouldn’t lose innovation to tried and the boundaries created by experience.
YV: What are your other hidden talents?
A few, I love cooking and baking and on a good day I can sing. But then again don’t we all think we’re great singers.
YV: Besides modeling and presenting, what other projects are you involved?
I worked for a company called Have You Heard marketing where I handled campaign for brands like Oros and Mr Price.
YV: What is your favourite song at the moment?
I always find it so hard to answer that question. I would have to say Khuli Chana’s MahambaYedwa
YV: Name 3 things you can’t live without?
Besides God, my cellphone, data and my mom and dad
YV: Are you reading something at the moment? If so, what’s the title?
I’ve had the Purple Cow by Seth Godin for a while, I’m excited to finally read it.
YV: Are you in a relationship? If you are, who is the lucky guy?
I am in a relationship…let’s keep the lucky guy a secret for now.
YV: In 5 years time, where do you see yourself?
TKBC (The Kopano Brand Company) will have branch in JHB with 25 junior campaign managers and 5 Brand managers and the office in Cape Town will be growing at a very fast rate.
YV: Is there anything you would like to say to young girls?
Go wild! Dream beyond any point rational point!
Believe you can achieve it!
Go out and get it! #BerekaMosadi
