With the upcoming Miss International, Ultimate Magazine Correspondent Nastasia Tait had the privilege of interviewing the gorgeous Phomolo Tjie!
UM: Tell us a bit about yourself?
PT: My name is Phomolo Tjie, I’m 24 years old, and I’m originally from Limpopo, residing in a small town. I’m an aspiring graphic designer and I’m also the owner of PML Beauty salon, my mission is to make women feel confident! I’m also the founder of the Ashes to Beauty foundation our mission is to embrace young people who have talents and creative ideas who chose to pursue a path in beauty and art.
UM: That’s amazing! What made you decide to start Ashes to Beauty foundation?
PT: It started as realising that as young people with talents we are very misunderstood and not everyone understands that each and every child is gifted, and I wanted to give those children a chance to have their voice heard and their talents recognised! Especially young women, I’m not talking about not adults, small children to give them their dignity especially girls entering pageants, to make them realise they can have an impact in their communities.
UM: That actually leads to my next question, most people think ladies who participate in beauty pageants are all beauty and no brains, what would you say to those people?
PT: My initial response to those people would be that they’re very ignorant because they’re not listening to people competing in pageants. Everyone has a message they want to share when competing in pageants and they want to make a positive impact on the world and to do that you need to have beauty and brains!
UM: Do you believe contestants who compete in pageants should have a coach or can they just wing it and go it on their own?
PT: I believe we all come from different backgrounds, and sometimes you don’t know where to start with entering pageants and you have to research the pageant that you’re going into, so I do believe it’s important to have a coach and a mentor to make sure you are properly prepared.
UM: What made you decide to start competing in pageants?
PT: It was in my family as some of the ladies before me in my family competed in pageants, and my mom would always tell me the stories, and I felt like I had a message to share so I started competing in highschool to share my message, I also felt like I didn’t have the confidence but then I realised I am not afraid of the limelight and that led to me competing in pageants.
UM: What made you decide to enter Miss International?
PT: I feel like Miss International celebrates confidence, and empowers women from different backgrounds in society and I think that is important for us to have our voices heard and shine a light about the issues that matter such as mental health etc.
UM: How have you benefited from doing pageants?
PT: Right now I have realised that I’m not a woman who is scared of anything! I know how to let my voice be heard and that is important to me
UM: Why do you want to win the Miss International title?
PT: My goal is to reach thousands of women in South Africa and the world, I feel like they need to see the confidence and have the confidence to make an impact in the small every day events that we are a part of. Pageantry is also a platform for women to be vocal about their passions and adress the issues that need to be spoken about.
UM: What makes you a good candidate for Miss International?
PT: I believe that I am an elegant woman and an ambassador for change, and I feel I have the confidence to be a good representative for Miss International because I want to make a difference.
UM: How do you balance your life with pageants and running your own business?
PT: It’s all about time management, I wake up early and plan my days and weeks to see this is what I have achieved and I love working with women and making them feel confident! I also make sure I plan a day for me to just relax and check in with myself to make sure I am okay mentally and physically, and not overwork myself.
UM: You sound like such a great role model! What are some of the things you want to implement to make sure you are a role model for younger pageant contestants and title holders?
PT: I would for younger title holders to see me as an example to use their platform to spread their message, we don’t get opportunities every day so when you do have an opportunity, use it, and I want to be a role model to make them see that they should always stay true to themselves.
UM: When you win Miss International how do you plan on using your platform to make a difference, what are some of the things you’d like to accomplish?
PT: I would actually like to use my marketing skills to make sure that Miss International is seen in South Africa and I want to make sure people know about it because it’s the 3rd largest competition internationally in the world and I would like to spread the message of Miss International of confidence and making your voice heard. I want to make Miss International as popular as Miss South Africa!
UM: Would you like to compete in Miss South Africa one day?
PT: I would love to compete in Miss South Africa, it’s a great opportunity to have your message heard.
UM: What has been one of the most exciting moments of your pageantry career?
PT: There was a pageant I completed in called Miss Eagle South Africa, and I won my provincial title. I was also excited because one of the judges was actually from Limpopo and it inspired me so much to see someone from my home town being a judge and doing so well, it made me believe I can also be so successful!
UM: Who is a role model to you in real life and in the pageant space?
PT: My real life role model would be mom, she’s such a strong woman and she wakes up every day and makes herself beautiful and inspires and encourages so many people. She has been able to face so many challenges and when I’m that age I want to be able to be THAT woman. She will help anyone without ever expecting anything back and I would like to be just like her.
In the pageant world my favourite role model is Demi Lee Tebo, she has used her platform to impact the safety of women and make sure our voices are heard to make South Africa a safer place for women.
UM: Who is the first person you would call when you win Miss International?
PT: I’m getting a bit emotional, I lost my father in 2020 and I wish he was still here because I know he would’ve been so proud of me…. But I would call my Aunt because she’s a prayer warrior, she is somebody who loves me so much and uplifts me all the time and I know she will be so proud! I would love to share that happiness with her.
UM: Thank you so much for being so open and vulnerable in this interview, that makes you really relatable! We really appreciate that you’ve allowed us to come into your world a bit and be able to share your story!
PM: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to have my voice heard and share a bit of my story! I have a question for you, how do you answer questions so eloquently what tips could you give me?
UM: I think being strong in your self image and knowing exactly who you are and what you stand for is very important, when you know yourself and what you stand for, no question can throw you off balance!
PT: Thank you so much!
UM: It was an absolute pleasure interviewing you and we wish you all the best on your journey! √