After winning the title of Miss South Africa on August 13 at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria’s Time Square, Natasha Joubert explained why she is deserving of the title.
The beauty queen, who finished as the second runner-up at the Miss South Africa 2020 competition, is no stranger to the pageant runways.
She went on to represent South Africa at the Miss Universe pageant, however she did not place in the Top 21.
She told Jacaranda FM Breakfast that because South Africa had performed so well in the three years prior to her year, she felt like she could not live up to the expectations.
She openly admitted while speaking on the radio show that immediately after the Miss Universe competition, she struggled with depression and realised she needed to put her mental health first.
“After Miss Universe, I struggled with depression. It was really hard for me. I started seeing a psychologist that August, I am still seeing her up until today. Highly recommend even if you struggle or not. Like mentally to stay on top of things and that where the big change came in,”said Natasha.
While speaking to IOL on her big win, Natasha said she deserves to be Miss SA because she is a “woman of resilience.”
“I do not rely on talent but on my work ethic and hard work. We easily forget that this is a process of upliftment, and only focusing on the crown and not the daily successes is where you can easily compare yourself, not have compassion for yourself, and ultimately have self-doubt about your abilities,” she told the publication.
Natasha will not be representing SA at this year Miss Universe pageant, however, the first runner-up Bryoni Govender will go in her place. This is due to the Miss Universe rules which state that a contestant cannot enter more than once.
Also see: Bryoni Govender set to represent SA at the Miss Universe pageant