Article by Kudakwashe Muganu
It is early morning at a three-star family restaurant which is called Papachinos in Fourways, north of Johannesburg. Shortly after 10:30 AM, the bubbly and ambitious Boitumelo appeared at the door. Dressed casually in a white long – sleeved top, matching trousers, wearing a red long wintercoat and putting on black high heels. She was accompanied by her mother, Ntombi Gumede, the director of Boitumelo Tumi Jiane. The interview took two hours before we separated the ways.
Started from the bottom
She started working with numerous organisations at a tender age as a volunteer. Her passion led Boitumelo to spend her free time at Khadasa Children’s Home in a township of lnanda donating sanitary pads, toiletries and food. “If you are not passionate about what you are doing, do not bother. I put all my energy, my mind and my heart in whatever l do. Everyone sees the rewards and success of what l have accomplished in my life, it looks so glamorous and easy. What they do not see are the hard toil and speed bumps that have been encountered along the way”, she explains.
Words of wisdom from Boitumelo
“I am obsessed with my dreams. I am not going to wait for 10 years or 15 years to be great. All the dreams have to happen today, not tomorrow, “she smiled after saying this statement. It gives her zeal to work day and night without looking the clock.
Looking Ahead
Despite the fact that Boitumelo managed to be Miss Teen Mundial South Africa and she will be representing South Africa in South America, El Salvador, on 24 – 31 July. She stated that it is the beginning of the journey because she still have a long way to go with her career and academics as well