Suzuki South Africa and Mrs South Africa celebrated a partnership of almost five years this week when they handed over the keys to a brand-new Suzuki Vitara to Matapa Rikhotso, the new Tammy Taylor Mrs South Africa 2018.

Matapa (30), a businessperson, philanthropist, mother and wife from Polokwane, was crowned Mrs South Africa at Emperor’s Palace in November this year. Enolicia Strever (30) from Welkom was crowned first princess and Jo-Ann Barnwell (37) is second princess.

During her reign, Matapa will have the exclusive use of a new Suzuki Vitara to fulfil her duties as spokesperson for the pageant on issues such as the empowerment of disadvantaged women and as brand ambassador for SABC 3, the City of Ekurhuleni and the Women 4 Women movement.

“Matapa is a perfect example of the powerful women that the pageant celebrates. She is an accomplished businessperson with four degrees, yet still finds time to help disadvantaged girls with her foundation, Matapa and Friends.

“She is mother to little Rifuwo and wife to Douglas and will add all the good social causes of the pageant to her busy schedule. We trust that the new Suzuki Vitara will help her get to the many appointments that have suddenly filled her schedule,” says André Venter, divisional manager of sales and marketing at Suzuki.

The sponsored Suzuki Vitara is one of the crown jewels in the pageant, which awards the winner with prizes worth more than R1 million, while raising funds for good social causes. This year, Matapa and her fellow contestants raised R900000 for the Women 4 Women foundation, which was established by Cindy Nell-Roberts.

“Mrs South Africa is so much more than a beauty pageant. It focuses on female empowerment and helps all the contestants to step into their power and become the best version of themselves.

“Matapa, like all our contestants, fills so many roles with power and grace, which is why we chose the Vitara, an all-round performer with a real presence, as our prize vehicle,” says Joani Johnson, CEO of Mrs South Africa. As part of her campaign, Matapa has already started working on the many issues supported by Mrs South Africa. Matapa will represent South Africa at the Mrs World Pageant in China in March 2019.

MORE ON SA’s FASTEST GROWING BRAND
Suzuki is South Africa’s fastest growing vehicle brand. It is also the reigning Brand of the Year, as awarded at the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, powered by WesBank. It has held both of these titles for the past two years. In support of its growing client base, this Japanese compact vehicle specialist is continuing to open new dealerships, including franchise dealers in rural areas across South Africa. The allnew Suzuki Swift and Suzuki Jimny have been selected as finalists in the AutoTrader South African Car of the Year competition.