By Amanda Ngudle

Former Mrs SA finalist, Chandre Goosen-Joubert, has three words for those who aspire to enter the competition: “Don’t do it!”.
This is after she was granted a court judgment from the Western Cape High Court, allowing her access to the bank account of the pageant.
It’s an order that the Mrs SA executives appealed immediately. She had asked to have access to the account after she alleged that money, she raised in aid of the subsidiary charity organisation had been used for personal interest by one of the pageant’s executives and former Miss SA, Cindy Nell-Roberts.
What followed was an ugly spectacle between the Mrs SA pageant and Chandre. Recent reports have painted her as an irresponsible opportunist. They claim she spent R34,000 voting for herself in the public vote build-up to the finals.
Chandre, on the other hand, claims she has had to hire 24/7 security services as she alleges she has received death threats from unknown people.
The Telegram is in possession of the text messages. This after she called the pageant a scam, a false fairy tale and a financial drain.
In an interview with The Telegram, Chandre broke down, recalling how her life spiralled out of control since joining the pageant.
“First of all, most of the contestants who have joined the Mrs SA pageant have been divorced, left in debt and in deep regret they ever entered the competition,” she said.
“You are not told about the financial implications upfront but gradually with every leg you surmount.
“The moment you press that ‘send’ button on the website’s application form, prepare to bleed loads of money.”
So far, she claims to have “bled” over R1.3m from her own business bank account as well as monies raised through charity events. This happened to the top 50 entrants.
“Then, they want you to get a sponsor for you being in the pageant and the sponsor has to pay R24,000 plus VAT. Then, you pay for everything – from production, workshops, hotel stays, flights, food, etc.”
In addition, there is publicity and charity responsibilities. Most sponsors have a trade exchange of publicity with the pageant.
Although it’s not priced, the more publicity you get, the more points you receive, she claims.
Another former contestant, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of mockery, says she needs a miracle for her financial life to recover.
“I spent my life savings on the competition hosting high teas (Mrs SA refutes the claims saying they pay for the venues) and collecting donations for charities far and beyond trying to earn points but all I earned was bad credit,” she said.
“I even borrowed from people trying to keep afloat but you know what happened? When I relented and left, after failing to raise R10,000 for the next leg, I was told no refunds would be given.”
Another former contestant calls the pageant toxic.
“They do not offer you any support, whereas one of the promises is a business management workshop. It didn’t happen on my journey. They take, take, take and never give back.
“I heard they laughed at poorer contestants like myself, when you failed to raise the money. It’s toxic.”
The Telegram spoke to 12 former and current contestants who all expressed regret for having entered the competition.
Some complained about products that were not aimed at black skins, others spoke of an unhealthy competitive environment while some complained of the sadness after their losses.
“The bottom line is they want to gain millions and spend nothing. By the final night, you are so impoverished you have lost your glow,” said one contestant.
“You don’t even care that you didn’t win, too glad to be out of that hell.”
When asked to respond to the claims, CEO of Mrs SA, Joani Johnson, responded in a generic statement which failed to addressed every question in its own merit.
“You mentioned in your text message three former unhappy contestants. We have had more than 1,200 women come through the Mrs SA platform over the past 12 years and it is the nature of any business to have a certain percentage of dissatisfied customers,” she said.
“Seeing as we are in fact a competition and only one woman truly walks away as the winner, I think statistically we have done well.
“Despite the personal growth these women go through, many has (sic) had complete career changes and countless opportunities and collaborations that they have gained through our platform. Not to mention the incredible friendships and network of strong, powerful women supporting one another.”
Johnson also shared with The Telegram recently published material of the stories in which dirty linen was hung out for everyone to see. She also shared a Youtube link to an interview where she addressed the allegations. The comments section is disabled.
If you are wondering what’s at stake, the answer is: Nothing. The winner gets nothing and the finalists earn R5,000 a month plus some products for the duration of the winner’s reign.
The crowned Mrs SA stands to get her name in the Mrs World pageant, the final leg which Candice Abrahams won back in 2016.