Barbara Moagi: It’s time to challenge stereotypes and skip the untold stories

JOHANNESBURG – She describes herself as versatile, ready for anything, and passionate about using storytelling as a force for good.

In an exclusive interview with Eyewitness News, we had a chat with 22-year-old Barbara Moagi, a Miss SA Top 30 contender.

The bubbly student hails from Mahikeng in the North West and is in her second year of studying at Vega School.

Moagi’s life is quite the juggling act – she is not only creating digital content across many platforms, and studying digital marketing, but is also managing her personal life that he pageant has played a large role in of late.

In pursuit of Miss SA, she wants young girls to know that they are beautiful, unique, and capable of achieving anything they set their minds to.

Her dream, she said, was to leave a legacy of representation for the next generation.

What made you decide to compete in the Miss SA pageant?

I grew up feeling very insecure about my body and skin tone. In a modern society where young people have access to so much information through television programmes and social media, stumbling across Miss SA and Miss Universe on television as a young girl became one of the key gamechangers for me.

Seeing women who looked like me being celebrated and admired gave me a much-needed boost of self-esteem. It expanded my definition of beauty, and shattered the narrow standards I had allowed bullying to engrave in my brain.

Fast forward to my twenties, and I found myself being asked a familiar question by my online community and classmates at university: “Have you ever thought of doing Miss SA?”

It sparked something I never even considered. Even some of my favourite former contestants, like the incredible Dr. Thato Mosehle (Miss SA 2020), who follows me on Instagram, would leave uplifting comments, urging me to take the leap. It was like a full-circle moment, knowing that someone I admired for her bold personality and authentic spirit believed in me.

Dr. Mosehle’s Miss SA journey, like the Zozibini Tunzi’s and Demi-Leigh Tebow’s that came before her, broke down barriers and limitations that I had set for myself regarding entering Miss SA. So, when I made the decision to enter Miss South Africa 2023, it wasn’t just for myself. It was for the little Barbara in primary school, who yearned for the confidence to embrace her own skin and body.

What role do you believe pageants like Miss SA play in modern society? How does it uplift women in your eyes?

The Miss South Africa Organisation has been very vocal about being a platform for the championship of women’s rights and their empowerment, with or without the title.

Even before being selected, my preparation process to enter Miss South Africa provided such a great source of self-confidence and a clearer realisation of how potent and deep my power really is. All of which, whether you get selected for the top 30 or not, you gain a platform to share your dreams for your community as well as walk away a better and bolder version of yourself.

What are you hoping to get out of this pageant, and what does it mean to you?

I am hoping to be a catalyst for South Africans to become dauntless dreamers! As a young person and a woman, I am well aware of the numerous challenges we often face in pursuing our dreams, ranging from financial hardships to limited opportunities and a lack of well-functioning systems. However, I want the bold commitment that I have displayed during my time at this pageant to be a loud reminder to the women and youth of our country to be excellent with what you have control over or access to and work hard, so that when an opportunity meets your preparation, shining is just muscle memory!

To me, being a part of the Miss South Africa pageant is a profound opportunity to convey a powerful message: Every individual in our country holds immeasurable value, irrespective of their profession, background, or the fairness of the opportunities that were presented to them.

What issues facing our country are you passionate about?

I am passionate about representation and inclusivity that ultimately builds the social cohesion South Africa needs to be unstoppable. One of the key goals of South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) for 2030 is to build social cohesion. However, this cannot be achieved without breaking down the stereotypes that divide us. Representation and inclusivity are crucial for a country as beautifully diverse as South Africa because they allow every individual to feel seen, heard, and valued.

When people see themselves accurately represented in entertainment, it not only boosts their self-esteem, but also challenges stereotypes and promotes understanding among different communities.

The core of Ubuntu lies in our sense of community, and we cannot work towards
common goals like the NDP unless we are united. Representation starts with being willing to have conversation. We need to recognise and embrace the unique experiences of individuals, regardless of their race, tribe, nationality, sexual orientation, or refugee status, and must be willing to listen to and tell everyone’s story accurately.

These are the keystones that will help us build a better and more inclusive society.

I have committed to using entertainment as a powerful tool to give a voice and representation to all people in South Africa. The internet is full of inside jokes that only a South African will understand. South Africans have the best sense of humour the world has to offer, and I believe that’s what will continue to bind us in a bond of love and community, ultimately catapulting us into our mission to build social cohesion by 2030.

Through my YouTube channel and podcast, I have created the #HeyGxrl series, which features conversations with a diverse range of incredible women. These women include first-generation immigrants and individuals who have been typecast in the media industry, among others. By sharing their stories, I hope to enlighten and create an understanding among South Africans that will result in empathy strong enough to break down stereotypes. My heart is not to create a seat at the table, but make the individual feel like they belong, regardless of their background or experiences.

What fears have you had to overcome to get to where you are today?

I’ve had to overcome my fear of failure and rejection, which was a multi-layered process, because it stopped me from expressing my opinions and being brave enough to try my hand at something new. In hindsight, my fears had always been rooted in the approval of others, so I’d say my greatest accomplishment has been learning the art of making decisions for myself and not for what they look like to others.

When I started preparing for Miss SA, I found a secret weapon in my social media platforms. They became my creative playground, helping me shape my opinions and express my thoughts with confidence. By asking myself introspective questions and engaging in conversations with my online community, I found a way to navigate my fears and develop a strong sense of self. Making the courageous decision to live authentically and redefine success as a continuous journey of personal growth allowed me to leave a profound impact on young people and women across the world and I never imagined that for my platforms.

Beyond stepping outside my comfort zone online, I often turn to autobiographies and reality shows featuring role models who share my background. Whether it’s learning from the work ethic and resilience of Bonang Matheba on B*dazzled and Being Bonang or reading Michelle Obama’s Becoming, I’m constantly looking for inspiration in the wisdom of those who have walked similar paths.

Failure is a natural part of the journey of becoming, releasing me from the pressure to be perfect and succeed on the first try. In fact, making it to the Miss South Africa Top 30 this year was a result of my persistence after facing rejection in 2020.