Young Antonet Waeni has shocked many when she won the FOA tittle in 2023 September. Many never anticipated her crowning due to the talent that was present on stage and the tight competition it was. With 10 beautiful and intelligent models competing for the same title Antonet was more prepared to walk away with the inaugural tittle of FOA (Face of Afrimerits) 2023. We had a conversation with her and this is how it went;
Antonet Congratulations for winning face of Afrimerits pageant. What does the tittle mean to you?
It means a whole lot to me. This was my first pageant and I really wasn’t expecting to win but it showed me that having a vision, believing in that vision and putting in the work does pay off . It was also a confidence booster even to the people who were rooting for me.
Being your first pageant, how was the process of preparation… what is it you have done to put yourself in a position to win?
The first thing I had to do was to identify why I wanted to enter into pageantry in the first place . That’s when I chose to be an advocate for Youth development, my main focus being the education sector. For my community service project, I volunteered at a local Secondary School as a mathematics teacher. To help me prepare for the pageant day it’s self I practiced my routines daily. I was a bit doubtful about being self taught model but I knew I just had to do this. My preparation for this pageant was very stressful but worth it at the end .
Being raised by a Christian family, how was it like and you considering modeling wasn’t viewed as taboo?
At first it did not sit quite well with my parents but I explained to them that pageantry these days is not only about beauty and showing off a of skin but it’s being a representative of what you are passionate about. I also assure them that you can dress decently and still do modeling, which is what I did and brought the crown home.
How is your life outside modeling?
I am an electrical engineer N4 student .I also do mathematics tutoring on weekends.
What your aspirations in the next five years?
I’m hoping to have acquired my masters degree in electrical engineering (focusing on power) and hopefully getting started with the Doctoral degree. With regards to pageantry I’m hoping to have won a international pageant by then.
You wouldn’t wear stringed bottom bikini even when a bikini brand sponsor your work as a model just for the sake of your beliefs?
Yes I wouldn’t
Why would you view wearing of bikinis as indecency according to your beliefs?
It is considered to be too revealing
What legacy do you wish to leave as the Face of Afrimerits?
I can take advantage of my title to help others in my community by volunteering my time and planning events can help with my advocacy . Finally, I can use my title to inspire others to follow their dreams and pursue their passions. I will remember that I have the power to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Who is your role model and why?
My parents are my role models. They both never had easy childhoods but they did not allow their traumatic childhoods affect who they are today . My home is filled with love and very welcoming not only for us but whoever needs it . I always try to also not let my troubles or whatever I’m going through getting in the way of showing love and care to whoever I come across and they need a loving energy especially since my voluntary work involves working with teenagers who need that loving environment.
What’s your take on socio-economic state of south Africa?
I think we have spread enough awareness on the things that affect our socio-economic state; Corruption, poverty, high unemployment, violent crimes etc, I think it is important that we start coming up with more solutions and acting on them . Yes it is good to spread awareness on such issues but I don’t think much action is being taken because our rates in each of these cases are barely changing.
What do you think should be done to intensify action and impact the change on a larger scale?
On the issue like poverty and hunger, we could start by creating platforms where people do more agricultural practices. That will ensure food security and hunger eradication . I believe that it’s better to have sustainable solutions than immediate alternative. And this can be a practice that can be passed on from generation to generation.
Antonet thank you for your time. We wish you well during your reign as Face of Afrimerits and in your career as well
Thank you so much for the opportunity
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