Daily Bread celebrates young women in the community

The Daily Bread non-profit organisation recently hosted its fourth Miss Umoja pageant to celebrate young women in the community.

The event was hosted at the Leaping Frog Shopping Centre on 31 October.

Founder of the Daily Bread Organisation, Charmaine McGinley said there was no budget for the pageant and had a lot of help from the LionHeart Community. “I am just so grateful at the support we’ve had from people. Where the pageant is hosted is thanks to the owner of the store building.

“We spent a lot of time revamping the space for the pageant. We even had assistance from Checkers in terms of food for everyone.”

The five contestants who took part in the final stage of the pageant were Success Hlengiwe, Silda Mlangeni, Thandeka Tamie, Esther Rooi and Angela Boitumelo Adams. Each contestant was asked by hosts Bridget Phiri and Michael de Pinna questions ranging from community issues to the uplifting of women and children.

All the men and young boys who helped with the pageant behind the scenes took part in a silent protest against gender-based violence and femicide. They stood with signs in support of women and girls in the country.

The top three were then announced. Seventeen-year-old Silda was named second runner-up with Success Hlengiwe named first runner-up. One contestant who made a big impression on the judges and audience was 15-year-old Angela Boitumelo, and she was ultimately named Miss Umoja 2020.

An aura of confidence surrounded her throughout the pageant. The aspiring pilot said she has big dreams now that she has been crowned the winner. “I have values of respect and serving others. Being crowned Miss Umoja 2020 means that I can help my community,” she said.

She concluded, “I would like to make sure that every girl has access to quality education. I really believe education is the key to success.”