On September 26, 2026, Dagraça MOBENGO took the TEDx Pointe-Noire stage to share a personal story built around a simple conviction: tomorrow cannot wait.
Under the theme “Dare & Take the Leap,” she reflects on an experience she never planned for: her journey as a contestant in Miss Universe Republic of Congo 2026. What began almost by chance was driven above all by a desire to show her young niece that it is possible to fully embrace who you are, your beauty, and your natural hair.
What could have remained a simple attempt turned into an unexpected journey. She arrived at the casting without the required black outfit, without high heels, and with virtually no preparation. Yet she chose not to wait for the “right moment.” She borrowed a pair of shoes, stepped onto the stage, and decided to give it a try. A few weeks later, she became one of the finalists and was crowned Second Runner-Up of Miss Universe Republic of Congo 2026, making history as part of the country’s first participation in the competition.
Through this story, she explores a broader question: how many projects, dreams, and opportunities do we postpone because we are waiting to feel ready, to have the right conditions, or to stop being afraid?
Her message is an invitation to move forward despite uncertainty. Daring requires courage, faith, and the determination to see things through. As she puts it in Lingala: “Ba mekaka, on ne sait jamais” — you try, because you never know what might happen.
Sometimes, a story begins precisely when we decide to take a chance, even when nothing seems to be perfectly in place.
Tomorrow cannot wait. So, what will you choose to live today?
This year, for the second edition of TEDx Pointe-Noire, the theme was “Create, Transform, Transmit.” Eleven speakers had the opportunity to share their ideas and inspire the audience.
