There was a
wonderful feeling around the country recently when celebrations were held to
mark 1000 days to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Its going to be a major moment for
South African soccer, and Joan Ramagoshi wants to be among the women at the
forefront of the World Cup in terms of marketing and branding… and she couldn’t
be better placed.
It’s been
four years since Joan won Miss South Africa,
but she is not content just to be known as a pretty face.
This
confident go-getter is making big strides in the world of soccer, as brand
manager of current Premier League and Supa8 champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, and
she is enjoying the exciting challenges that come with her high profile job.
Joan is
passionate about what she does and continues to work hard on her dream to
become a successful businesswoman in South Africa. She believes
education is the key to success.
Joan, who grew
up with her family in Mamelodi, Pretoria,
says her parents are her role models for instilling good values and principles
in her which has equipped her to deal with
Whether she
is walking down the ramp at a fashion show, or just doing her job, Joan carries
herself with grace. She describes her personal style as simple and elegant.
She told
gsport she is inspired by women who started with nothing but are now occupying
top positions.
It’s going
to be a busy and exhilarating summer of soccer for Joan and she says she plans
to wear lots of dresses, which is one of the key items for this season.
Introducing
gsport’s October Style Star, glamour girl and rising soccer administrator, Joan Ramagoshi!
When was the first time you realised
you had what it takes to be a beauty queen?
I have
realized I had the potential at a very young age, when I was about 12 I used to
love watching Miss SA on TV and I used to enter and organize beauty pageants
around my community. Then in 2002 I tried miss City press and I won and 2003 I
was crowned miss S.A and I never looked back since that day.
What did it feel like to win Miss
South Africa in 2003?
It was a
wonderful experience; it was a great blessing indeed. A feeling I can still
remember as if I was crowned last night. My life changed for the better since
the crowning day in 2003.
When you look back on your reign,
what stands out for you?
There are
so many special memories but one that stands out was the day I helped raise
funds for the charity home in Mamelodi, and I can still see the beautiful
smiles on those kids when they received a decent meal that day. It was
fulfilling…
Do you think a Miss SA pageant is
still relevant?
It is
absolutely relevant it helps to boost young women’s confidence and it empowers.
It has opened a lot of doors for me so I would encourage anyone who is interested
to enter and go for it.
You’ve made the switch from beauty
to brands, how are you enjoying your role at Mamelodi Sundowns?
Being in
the soccer industry is a great challenge but yet exciting at the same time. I
love what I do at Sundowns and I feel blessed to have such a wonderful job. I
look forward to a brand new day every single day.
What would you like to be doing in
2010?
I would
love to be among women that will be in the fore front of the world cup in terms
of marketing or branding at the same time making loads of loot.
What is your advice to women who
want to make it in the corporate world?
Education
is the key to success, equip yourself with knowledge. That way you know you can
face any challenge that comes your way. Never underestimate yourself because
you are a woman. Believe in yourself and tell yourself that nothing is
impossible in life. Read, read and read some more!!!!
What challenges do you face as a
woman in soccer and how do you overcome it?
I work in a
male dominated industry and a lot of men would look at me as just a pretty face
and nothing more. It is always up to me to go out there and prove that I’m more
than a pretty face. My work is always up to date and I ensure that I’m updated
all the time with what is going on around me, not only soccer but sport in
general as well as any issues going around in the world. Sometimes I feel it’s
unfair that I have to prove myself but I would rather have that than someone looking
at me as just a pretty face.
You have a big public profile as a
former Miss SA and you have a high profile job in soccer. How do you find time
for you?
There’s a
lot of pressure that I go through, because I always have to strike a balance and
sometimes I never get it right. At Sundowns they keeping me busy I’m always
hectic and there is a lot of traveling involved and then I have commitment that
I need to attend to as a former Miss S.A. but I make sure that whenever I have
a bit of free time I use it to spend quality time with my family and do
shopping now and then and have a good full body massage.
How would you define your personal
style?
My personal
style is simple but elegant, I believe in less is more.
What is your favourite item of clothing?
A beautiful
dress I bought in Dubai
What is always in your handbag?
Lip gloss,
some cash and a cell phone
Favourite accessory?
My prada
handbag with matching shoes
Do you have a beauty routine?
My beauty
routine is not complicated, I wash my face twice a day, tone and moisturize. I
use a scrub and mask twice a week and I ensure that I have a facial once a
month.
Where do you enjoy shopping for
clothes?
I have a
variety of stores I love, depends on my mood of spending money. If I want to
shop for designer labels I would go to Sandton City
which has a lot of designers’ stores like Gucci or Versace. When I shop for
ordinary simple yet elegant clothes I go to Brooklyn
mall.
Who are your favourite local and
international designers?
Locally it
has to Sun Goddess, Ephymol and Gavin Rajah. Internationally, Gucci, Prada and
Versace
Who are your style icons?
I don’t
have a style icon, I love creating my own style that works for me.
What will you be wearing this
summer?
Dresses,
dresses and more dresses
What inspires you?
Women that
started with nothing but now occupy top positions, they are entrepreneurs, go-
getters but yet they remain so humble. These women inspire me to work harder
but at the same time remind me that I should always be grounded no matter how much
I achieve in life.
Who are your role models?
It has to
be my parents that have sacrificed so much for me and my siblings to get us
where we are today. They have set such a great example in my life. They have
instilled good values and principles in us that to this day I will always be
grateful.
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