Muofhe Makhado (17), a learner from The Hill High School, is a Miss Teen Universe South Africa 2023 finalist, upcoming model and businesswoman.
Through her organisation, Mend A Broken Soul, she wants to help her peers deal with situations they find themselves in. She said her organisation is based on raising awareness of gender-based violence, past traumas, anxiety disorder, depression or even major depressive disorder.
“I believe one can relate better if one experienced this first-hand. I understand how one would feel as I am a victim, too, and experienced what I’ve listed. This campaign aims to empower people, help them live with what has happened in their lives and not be ashamed, and help them be a testimony in someone’s life. Pain has no age or limit.
“I also advocate for mental health. I am bent but not broken. I am scared but not disfigured. I am sad but not hopeless. I am tired but not powerless. I am angry but not bitter, and I am depressed but not giving up. My wonderful story could inspire many young people out there,” she said.
About Miss Teen Universe South Africa
It is a girl-child empowerment programme through pageantry, arts and culture. The contestants get the opportunity of grooming, a platform to grow socially, mentally, and physically, learning life skills and techniques through Girl Child Empowerment Charity Gala, workshops, community development and youth development programmes and team building.