Interview with Mrs South Africa 2009
How Joani Johnson Realised her Lifelong Dream of Becoming Mrs SA
Oct 14, 2009
It is easy to cherish hopes and dreams but the challenge lies in how to fulfill these aspirations. Ever since Joani Johnson was a little girl she has dreamt of becoming Miss/Mrs SA and she recently turned this fantasy into reality when she became a reigning beauty queen in her native country, South Africa.
She spoke to Suite 101 about the overwhelming and satisfying feeling of reaching your goals and how to reap the rewards of hard work.
Which qualities helped you to become Mrs South Africa 2009?
"I am a very ambitious, hard working woman who knows what I want in life and I am not afraid to go after what I want. These qualities definitely helped me to become Mrs South Africa."
What lessons have you learned on your journey to success?
"That success comes with hard work and dedication. There is no such thing as a 'lucky break' and success does not come overnight. You have to be willing to work hard in order to fulfill your dreams."
How do you view and handle setbacks?
"I believe that we learn from setbacks in life and try to see the lesson in every mistake or setback in my life. I believe that we should never give up our right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn from your mistakes and move forward with your life."
You own a thriving modelling agency. Is it something that you have always wanted to do and how did you make this happen?
"I have been involved in the modeling industry for over 20 years and it is something I have always loved. When I moved to a smaller town to be with my husband, the modeling opportunities were limited, so I decided to make things happen myself. Today I have branched out and expanded Ace Models and it has grown to be one of the top modeling schools (training academy for young/inexperienced models) in South Africa."
Who inspires you to reach new heights in your personal and professional life?
"My parents have always been a great inspiration in my life. My husband is also very supportive in everything that I do and encourages my dreams and ambitions."
What is your motto in life?
"To achieve success in life, you must dream as well as act! If you can dream it, with hard work and dedication, you can achieve it!"
In which ways do you want to contribute to society during your year of reign as Mrs SA?
"I want to empower woman of all ages and ethnic backgrounds to stand up for themselves and to try and make a difference in their communities. I want to create awareness for Woman and Child abuse in South Africa and try to have an impact on these women's lives."
How do you feel about the upcoming Mrs World pageant in Vietnam?
"It has always been a dream of mine to represent my country at an International Pageant so I am very excited about it. I am also very positive and keeping my eyes on the crown!"
What advice do you have for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
"Be prepared to work hard to get to the top. Dream big - the sky is the limit - but remember that if you want to achieve those dreams, you must act on them!"
Do not be fooled into thinking that Johnson will now relax just because she has fulfilled her lifelong dream. On the contrary, this dymanic woman is striving for new goals such as expanding her modelling agency onto a national level and becoming a presenter on a high profile television show. As the saying goes: if you are not growing, you are dying.
AIC101
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