A 60-year-old nurse from Kenilworth is spreading the message that age is just a number as she has reached the final in her first ever beauty pageant.

Manage Matlala is one of the final contestants in Miss/Mrs Africa UK, which will be decided at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel in September.

The red carpet event promises to be a "showcase of the proud, strong and relatable queens" who are "breaking beauty stereotypes and boundaries".

A nurse of 40 years, Manage said she was so excited when she received the nomination, which was the culmination of a childhood dream.

"I always wanted to be this girl when I grew up," she told Nub News.

"I grew up in a village in South Africa where there was no motivation at all, and it wasn't really the sort of thing that happened.

"But then I was inspired by Miss South Africa 2010 because her mother was a friend of mine.

"So when I saw this pageant on social media I decided I would go for it.

"Initially I was telling everyone I knew as soon as I saw the email saying I got through because I was so excited."

Manage is hoping to be crowned Miss/Mrs Africa UK this Septemeber (image supplied)

Manage, who is currently working at Leamington Spa - but worked in different parts of the UK for 13 years also - said she has received a wave of support on social media following the announcement.

And she said a lot of people cannot believe she is 60 when she tells them.

"I have been telling people age is just a number," she added.

"Nobody believes I am 60 years old. A lot of people have responded so kindly to me on social media.

"That gives me inspiration and confidence to put myself out there."

Since reaching the final, the mother of one has also been invited to the South African Embassy.

Manage at the South African Embassy (image supplied)

And she said she is embracing the opportunity to inspire people with her story.

"I feel like I am already a winner. In life I want to live a happy life and to make other people happy," Manage added.

"Entering was not about the prize or anything, but it was really about meeting new people and being part of something.

"Especially after Covid, I wanted to celebrate life. I am a big advocate for mental health, Autism and building communities.

"That is great about this competition. I am able to get a platform to talk to new people and spread this message."

Follow her journey on Instagram and Facebook.

And to find out more about Miss/Mrs Africa UK, follow this link.