Contributor: Dorcas Mamani
After delivering impressive responses during the final round of the 2018 Miss Earth South Africa contest, 21-year-old Charlotte Joja, from Roodekrans, won the hearts of many South Africans, scoring herself 3rd place in the competition. Miss Joja, a BA Honours Psychology student at the University of Johannesburg, was one of the winners on Saturday, 6 October 2018 at the Tsogo Sun, MonteCasino Ballroom.
Among the esteemed attendees were the City of Johannesburg’s Mayor, Mr Herman Mashaba, and Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom, as well as the previous winners of the competition in the audience.
The contest was centered on the impact of events as Miss Earth SA to make a positive change to society. This year’s contest included input from the 2018 finalists, previous competitors and winners.
Miss Earth South Africa is aimed at empowering young South African women with valuable knowledge and give them the platform to create a sustainable future, change attitudes, make a difference to the country especially in combating the destruction of the country’s heritage.
Finalists from across the country shared experiences in the field of their careers, projects and to engage in a round table discussion on the state of the environment from the perspective of each of their respective fields of study and passion. The dialogue and event were facilitated by South African TV and Radio personality and entrepreneur, Ms Zizo Tshwete.
In one of her recent projects, Miss Joja went to search for an orphanage around Honeydew when she discovered pre-school which was in dire need. “I was lost one day and stopped at this play school to ask for directions. I started speaking to the lady who owns this Centre. She began to tell me about her struggles, which include the lack of clothing for some of the children, the building’s need for refurbishment and the fact that some of the children walk long distances without shoes to attend the play school,” says Miss Joja.
Hearing this, decided make it her responsibility to provide for the school. “The reason why I entered Miss Earth SA was because of my passion in making a difference in people’s lives and uplifting struggling communities,” adds Miss Joja.
