Featured: Meet Refentse Difeto, A Strength of Hope And Change In The Miss Teen Gauteng Pageant.

Featured: Meet Refentse Difeto, A Strength of Hope And Change In The Miss Teen Gauteng Pageant.

By Mamelodi News, 

Mamelodi’s own Refentse Difeto is shining bright as a finalist in the 2025 Miss Teen Gauteng pageant. A passionate advocate for mental health, underprivileged communities, and children battling cancer, Refentse is using her platform to inspire change and uplift the youth. In an exclusive interview with Mamelodi News, she shares her journey, her advocacy, and her vision for a brighter future.

Refentse Difeto is a proud Mamelodi native with a heart for service. “I’m deeply passionate about uplifting my community and being a voice for the youth,” she says. Her decision to join the Miss Teen Gauteng pageant was driven by its potential to amplify her advocacy for mental health, support for the underprivileged, and her role as a Cupcakes of Hope Ambassador for children with cancer. “This pageant is a platform to inspire change, promote self-confidence, and address issues that matter,” she explains.

For Refentse, being a finalist is both an honor and a call to action. “It’s humbling to have my journey recognized, but it also reminds me of the responsibility I carry to inspire others,” she shares. The achievement motivates her to stay grounded and work harder to make a positive impact in her community.

Refentse’s eyes light up when recalling a charity drive in an underprivileged community. “Seeing the joy on children’s faces when they received food and clothing was unforgettable,” she says. Another proud moment came through her work with Cupcakes of Hope, where she witnessed families’ relief as their children received life-saving cancer treatment. “Those moments show me that advocacy is about action and real change,” she adds.

Having seen the struggles of young people up close, Refentse is committed to breaking the stigma around mental health and supporting those in need. “Many suffer in silence, battling emotional and financial challenges,” she says. As a Cupcakes of Hope Ambassador, she also fights to ensure children with cancer have access to treatment. “Every child deserves a chance to thrive, and I want to remove barriers to hope,” she emphasizes.

Refentse combines digital and community efforts to spread her message. Online, she hosts live discussions to destigmatize mental health, while in-person, she organizes school talks and charity drives. A project close to her heart is mentoring two girls from Itumeleng Rescue Home who dream of becoming models and pageant queens. “I want to show them their background doesn’t define their future,” she says, reflecting her belief in creating opportunities through action.

For Refentse, the joy of others is her greatest reward. “Whether it’s a child smiling during a charity drive or a parent relieved their child is getting treatment, those moments remind me why I do this,” she says. “Happiness and hope are contagious, and that’s what drives me.”

Refentse hopes to show young leaders that service and courage define true leadership. “Your background doesn’t define your destiny,” she says, encouraging youth to use their voices for change. Citing Jeremiah 29:11, she adds, “Walk in faith, believing your dreams are valid. Even as teenagers, you can shape a better world.”

Balancing school, pageant duties, and advocacy work has been tough, but Refentse credits time management and support from mentors and family for keeping her grounded. She’s also faced doubts about the impact of young voices. “Consistency and action speak louder than doubt,” she says, proving her commitment through her work.

“Never underestimate yourself,” Refentse urges. “Your dreams are valid, and your voice has power. Stay true to your values, work hard, and don’t let fear stop you. Every small step toward your dreams matters.”

“Never underestimate yourself,” Refentse urges. “Your dreams are valid, and your voice has power. Stay true to your values, work hard, and don’t let fear stop you. Every small step toward your dreams matters.”

In the pageant, Refentse aims to inspire and uplift while giving her all. Beyond that, she plans to expand her advocacy through sustainable mental health programs, ongoing support for underprivileged communities, and continued work with Cupcakes of Hope. Her commitment to mentoring the girls from Itumeleng Rescue Home remains strong, with a long-term goal of creating opportunities for more youth. “My purpose is to serve, inspire, and give hope,” she says.

Refentse Difeto is more than a pageant finalist she’s a force for good, proving that Mamelodi’s youth can dream big and make a lasting impact. Follow her journey in the 2025 Miss Teen Gauteng pageant and beyond as she continues to shine a light of hope.