SIZE 12 model Tholoana Makhetha got her big break at the weekend when she was chosen Face of Maponya Mall in Soweto.

The 19-year-old from Orlando West, Soweto, said she was rejected by agencies because she was big.

"For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to be a model. But when I sent my pictures to agencies they always told me to go to agencies for plus size models - though that did not get me down."

But Makhetha believes being bigger gave her an advantage over the other girls in the Maponya Mall competition.

"I guess my size and shape made me stand out. I used what I have to win.

"I really did not expect to win, but it feels great. It's amazing."

She said she was not among the the top 12 originally but got a call from the pageant organisers a day before the competition. They asked her to fill the spot of a contestant who had dropped out of the competition.

"I knew then that I had to work hard because this would be my big opportunity."

Makhetha, who is currently studying communication science at Unisa, said her parents were supportive about her modelling but wanted her to study.

"My mother, who is a teacher, doesn't want the modelling to interfere with my studies," said Makhetha, who also works part-time for a promotions company.

- monamat@sowetan.co.za