PRETORIA, Dec. 7 (AGCNewsNet) – At just 16 years old, Mogau Ramaila has claimed the prestigious title of Miss Teenager World, a feat that has left her in awe of her journey. The South African teen, who has dreamed of representing her country on the international pageant stage since 2016, was crowned during the global competition held in Lima, Peru.

Reflecting on the achievement, Ramaila expressed that the moment still feels surreal. “Being a Miss Teenager World, to this day it still feels like a dream, so surreal,” she said in an interview. “Ever since I started pageantry in 2016, it has always been my dream to represent my country at an international pageant.”

Ramaila's path to the international stage began when she encountered The World South Africa Pageants organization three years ago. She soon realized that national winners had the opportunity to compete at the global level. The pageant took place on July 20, 2024, at the State Theatre in Pretoria, where Ramaila emerged victorious, securing the Miss Teenager World title.

Despite juggling pageant preparations with final exams, Ramaila credits her coach, Ms Valerie Begbie, for pushing her to excel in both her academics and pageant duties. “It was challenging, especially with the pressure of finals, but it was all worth it,” Ramaila said.

Throughout her experience, Ramaila gained invaluable life lessons, including the importance of self-love and solidarity with fellow contestants. “I have learnt to love my fellow contestants and support them instead of seeing them as my competition. The sisterhood is amazing,” she added.

Using her new platform, Ramaila plans to tackle important social issues affecting young people, particularly bullying. "As a teenage girl who has experienced bullying, I would like to help other teens overcome it by talking to someone they trust, taking care of their mental health, and healing through therapy."

Additionally, Ramaila is committed to supporting orphans and aspiring models facing financial barriers. "I’ve already started donating blankets at Jacaranda Children's Home in Pretoria and plan to continue helping orphanages," she shared. "I also want to support girls who dream of modelling but lack the resources for dresses or entry fees."

Looking ahead, Ramaila plans to take a break from national competitions for the next year or two as she continues to develop her career and advocate for those in need.

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