Dipelaneng in Hobhouse might be small in the Free State, but it has recently been cast into the spotlight.
Its daughter, Dr Palesa van Rooyen, is a participant in the prestigious Miss South Africa pageant and has put the town on the map and in the spotlight through her participation.
The 27-year-old Medical Doctor is aiming to make the Free State and her town proud as she is currently in the Top 24 and aims to do well in the competition.
For Dr. Palesa van Rooyen, being part of the Miss South Africa Top 24 is about far more than a crown. It is about representation, purpose, and proving that dreams born in small towns are just as valid as those born anywhere else.
Born and raised in Dipelaneng township in Hobhouse in the Free State, Dr. van Rooyen describes herself as a quiet and reserved person who enjoys observing life from behind the scenes. Away from her work as a medical doctor, she finds joy in reading, listening to podcasts, journaling, running, and spending time in the gym.
She values moments of solitude as a way of restoring herself after the emotional demands of caring for others. Her memories of growing up in Dipelaneng remain vivid and treasured. She remembers waking up early to watch children’s television programmes before the adults claimed the television for the day and spending afternoons in the kasi playing traditional games such as diketo and mantloane with friends.
“I was blissfully unaware that I looked different to anyone else,” she recalls. “I simply knew I was the queen of my little kasi.”
Although many people only discovered her through Miss South Africa, entering the competition was a dream she had quietly carried in her heart since 2010.
“I finally reached a stage in my life where I found purpose for my beauty,” she explains.
As a medical doctor, Dr. van Rooyen understands the power of platforms and visibility. She entered Miss South Africa with a clear purpose: to use her voice to advocate for vulnerable children and raise awareness about the challenges many children face through circumstances beyond their control.
“Every child deserves an opportunity to thrive. I believe it is our collective responsibility to protect them and create opportunities for them to reach their full potential.”
Dr. van Rooyen is competing in the Miss South Africa Top 24 voting stage and hopes to earn enough public support to continue her journey toward the crown.
For Palesa, reaching the Top 24 is about more than personal achievement.
“I am tangible hope and representation for young girls in small, overlooked communities. I am the hope of my entire Free State Province, an often overlooked province, too. This accomplishment belongs to my community as much as it belongs to me.” She added.
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