'I'm glad I did it'

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay's Mrs South Africa semi-finalist Berenice Kogana Paulson is glad she entered the contest, although she did not make it to the top 25.

Berenice told the Mossel Bay Advertiser: "Honestly, I don't regret the journey."

She was one of the top 100 and went to Emperor's Palace in Johannesburg for the workshops, interviews and pre-judging to choose the top 25.

Berenice said: "I saw many ladies around me who were extremely disappointed they were not chosen. I was shocked to see how they could be knocked down by that. I didn't experience it the way they did."

If her eye had been only on the crown, she would have felt down, Berenice said. "But God is in control and He determines the outcome of things. He knows what will happen in the future. My outcome is not determined by people."

Workshops and preparation
She said the workshops and the preparation the week before the Mrs SA Winter Ball prepared contestants for "what if they did not make the top 25".

Although "it was a very nice experience", Berenice did not feel an urge to enter again next year.

A highlight was that after her interview in the morning, prior to the Mrs SA Winter Ball on 27 August, where the top 25 were announced, the Mrs SA competition CEO Joani Johnson said to her, "You did very well in your interview, Berenice."

The winter ball was a glittering occasion, slick and professional, which was streamed online. In the fast-paced show, each of the 100 contestants got to say their name and from which city they came and they modelled elegant evening gowns.

Berenice said this week: "Thank you to Mossel Bay people for all your overwhelming support. I felt proud to say I was from Mossel Bay."

Berenice Kogana