The journey of Bridgette Jones: overcoming challenges to shine in Miss South Africa

In a moment that will be etched in her memory forever, Bridgette Jones from Athlone received the life-changing call that secured her a place among the Top 10 finalists of Miss South Africa.

“Honestly, my favourite moment was the day I got that call! I wished and hoped for it but still kept a little room for doubt you know, the safety net! Lol,” she said with a captivating smile. That call, however, marked not just an opportunity for glamour but the beginning of an exhilarating journey from the Cape Flats to the centre stage of national recognition.

As the lights shone brightly and the pressure intensified, Jones found strength in her roots.

“There were moments when it all got a bit much,” she admitted. “But I kept reminding myself who I am at my core. My faith, my family, and my community kept me grounded. They reminded me that I’m loved for Bridgette, not for the crown.”

Her grandmother, a vital influence in her life, played an instrumental role by always providing a reality check wrapped in warmth. “She had this way of humbling me at exactly the right time,” Jones reflected. “She used to say, ‘You don’t need to be perfect just be real.’ Those words carried me through everything.”

However, the journey was not without its challenges. When false bullying allegations surfaced on social media, it threw Jones into a whirlwind of distress, especially while her grandmother faced health issues.

“That was definitely one of the hardest things I’ve ever been through,” she recalled quietly. “Everything hit at once; it felt like someone was trying to take my dream away.”

Yet, rather than succumbing to the negativity, Jones resolved to stand firm. “But it also made me dig in my heels in and say, no, I deserve to be here. I had to trust that my truth speaks louder than any noise around me.”

This experience propelled her to prioritise her mental health, recognising that bearing everything alone was unfeasible. “At one point, I realised I couldn’t carry it all by myself,” she confessed, underscoring the importance of community support in overcoming adversity.

Forgiveness became her path to healing. “I’ve chosen to forgive, not because what happened was okay, but because I don’t want to carry it anymore,” Jones said, embodying a resilience that many can draw from. “Holding on just keeps you in place. Forgiveness is freedom.”

With the pageant now behind her, Jones embraces the uncertainty of her next steps with open arms.

“I’m not entirely sure what’s next, and I’m okay with that,” she said. “What I do know is that I want to keep working in my community and creating spaces for young people to dream bigger.”

The prospect of exploring modelling excites her, even as she admits, “This was actually my first time ever walking on  a runway. I surprised myself. I’d definitely like to explore that side a bit more.”

Despite her newfound fame, Jones remains passionately tethered to her roots.

“My heart’s in Athlone,” she insists, hinting at aspirations to start her own business while cherishing moments with family and honouring her late grandmother.

To the young girls hailing from the Cape Flats who look up to her, she delivers a powerful message: “Don’t let where you come from make you doubt where you can go. Your story is your power. Keep showing up even when it’s hard because your dreams are valid. If I could stand on that stage, so can you.”