Michelle Danso
Twenty-year-old Miss Ghana South Africa 2016, Michelle Danso, has opened up about being crowned Miss Ghana South Africa (SA) and her personality, revealing before the pageant, she had self-esteem issues.
She told NEWS-ONE’s Francis Addo in this exclusive interview that she was less confident because of her dark skin while in high school. Entering the pageantry, she revealed, was a decision she took to overcome that weakness and love herself.
A couple of weeks ago, the beautiful young lady graduated from the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, with a degree in Bachelor of Arts. She was born in South Africa to Ghanaian parents. She also spoke about the importance of Miss Ghana South Africa, the pageantry in general, xenophobia in South Africa, among others.
Below is the full interview with Michelle Danso:
Congratulations on your recent graduation.
Thank you very much. It’s all God, not my wisdom or knowledge.
How has it been so far as Miss Ghana South Africa?
It’s been very challenging, but I’m loving it. Being an ambassador for Ghanaians in South Africa comes with a lot of pressure, but I am enjoying it.
What are the fun and the challenges that come with you having to be schooling at the same time working as a queen?
It is honestly about having to find the balance between the two. I am very serious about school, so school comes first always. So for example, if I have an interview related to Miss Ghana South Africa and an assignment on the same day, one has to go and because I take my school work seriously, my interview has to either be postponed or cancelled. So for me, there is time for school work and time for my duties and responsibilities. Luckily enough this year, I have quite a lot of time to myself, so Miss Ghana SA takes priority at the moment.
What motivated you to get into pageantry?
I suffered with issues of self-esteem when I was in high school because of my dark skin complexion. So I took a decision one day to just love myself and turn what I saw as a weakness into strength. So entering Miss Ghana SA was a challenge to step out of my comfort zone and embrace my flaws. So I did this for me, to prove and confirm that I am dark and beautiful.
What does the crown mean to you now, as compared to when you were yet to join?
The drive that I had before winning is the drive that I still have now. Being crowned has opened so many doors for me and has given me a platform to do what I want to do; which is to motivate and encourage women.
What is the essence of Miss Ghana South Africa to you?
Being Miss Ghana South Africa means a lot to me that I have to be an ambassador for Ghanaians in South Africa. It is my responsibility to educate South Africans about Ghanaian culture and Ghana as a whole. I feel richly blessed as Miss Ghana South Africa because I get to learn both cultures.
Do you think beauty pageants serve any importance in today’s world?
I think pageants are important nowadays because people always think that pageant is about beauty and all these pleasant things. Whereas I see it as a platform for us women to showcase that we are able and we are enough and that not our outward beauty can take us far but also our inner beauty.
What have you done so far as Miss Ghana South Africa?
I have been involved with my charity organisation which is Lerato House for Girls. It mainly deals with abandoned girls from the age of 13. I have been to quite a few interviews and appearances. I recently just came back from Ghana where I visited the Rema’s Children Home in Tema. I did quite a number of interviews and appearances that side too. I’m currently working on building my brand and my personal projects.
One of the biggest issues being discussed around the world concerning South Africa and its relationship with other African countries is xenophobia. What’s your opinion on xenophobic attacks?
It is a very serious issue for us foreigners in South Africa because no one wants to feel left out in a country which they live in. To see all the pictures and videos that are going viral is very saddening because I believe we are all one and we should love one another and put all our differences aside.
Any personal xenophobic story you want to share with the world? Have you lost a friend through that?
I have had an attack but it wasn’t physical but verbal. I was rushing to class from my apartment, I got stopped by a stranger, he angrily held my hand and he asked me for my ID (had a serious and angry face on). I told him in Xhosa that I didn’t have it. Because I answered in Xhosa (South African language), he asked me where I was from with a smile and he let go of me. If it wasn’t for my knowledge of the language, I don’t know what could have happened to me. Fortunately, I haven’t lost anyone to a xenophobic attack.
Who is Michelle? Where did grow up?
I was born in the Eastern Cape, in a very small town called Mthatha. I am very down to earth and an ambitious girl who is passionate about her goals and will do anything to achieve them.
How old are you?
I am 20 years old and will turn 21 on June 21.
School attended? And certificates?
I went to Qumbu Christian School. In Grade 6, I went to Kokstad Junior School. For my high school phase, I attended Queenstown Girls High School and finished my matric with two distinctions. I then proceeded to the University of Witwatersrand with a university entrance scholarship and recently graduated. Hoping next year I go back to do my post-graduate.
Hobbies?
Reading, sleeping, eating, scrap booking, doing my make-up, baking, blogging, Instagram, taking pictures, listening to Afrobeats, spending time with friends and family.
Which part of Ghana do you come from?
My father is from the Ashanti Region and my mother is from the Eastern Region.
You are not married yet, but at what age do you intend to marry?
I am not married. I want to get married around like 27, hopefully by then I will be well-established.
What qualities will you be looking out for in your prospective future husband? And do you consider money, fame and looks as some of those?
God-fearing, tall, handsome, funny, ambitious, romantic, loving, trustworthy, caring and love children. That’s my top 10. I don’t consider all of those things, but he must be well-established and must be financially stable.
What’s your favourite Music? Movie? And colour?
Everything Afrobeats. Movie: all romantic movies. colour: baby pink
What’s next for Michelle after pageant?
Building my brand. Hosting workshops. Connecting RSA to Ghana and vice Versa.
By Francis Addo (Twitter: @fdee50 Email: fdee500@yahoo.com)
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