THE current water crisis being experienced in parts of Africa is one of the many issues that Miss Earth South Africa semi-finalist, Nombuso Mnikathi, aims to tackle if she wins the competition.
The 25-year-old Pinetown resident is one of 88 semi-finalists who were chosen from around country.
Mnikathi, who is currently employed at a property management and land development company in Umhlanga while studying project management at Varsity College, said, “I have entered various pageants growing up, which certainly helped build my confidence and encouraged me to always look after myself and keep healthy. However, a leadership programme like Miss Earth South Africa was a definite first for me when I entered the competition in 2013 (reaching top 12). Entering the second time around certainly was a decision motivated purely by the growth and fulfilment you get out of the journey; the competition element no longer bothers me much.
“I believe it is important to re-establish yourself through extraordinary life experiences that will inevitably nurture your thoughts and goals, while empowering you to give back. We are today what we make of our yesterdays. My aim is that the decisions I make today will inspire a better tomorrow.”
Mnikathi has embarked on various community-based projects this far, which included tree planting at Ethembeni School in Inchanga, which caters for the visually-impaired and physically-disabled. She has also conducted a talk at ReitVallei Combined School in the same area about the importance of waste management, and plans on donating old clothes and non-perishable food to the I Care Foundation, where she will be volunteering. Mnikathi has also attended numerous events that aim to raise funds for causes like breast cancer and endangered animals.
When asked about her plans for the community if she wins the title, Mnikathi said, “I want to visit many schools and empower children with the knowledge and resources to access platforms that will help afford them better futures. Children are, I believe, the driving force towards a greener future for our country, both environmentally and economically.
“On an environmental platform, my personal goal is to help alleviate the water crisis that has hit the country and parts of Africa, which can prove to be a fierce threat if little is done to conserve and restore our water reserves.”
Mnikathi, who described herself as a vibrant creative spirit who enjoys sketching, painting, fashion designing, writing and developing innovative business concepts, plans to one day work with the United Nations (following in the footsteps of Ella Bella, the one half of Miss Earth South Africa directorship).
On 1 July the finalists will be announced. The finalists will go on to do more environmental work. A gala evening will then be held in Johannesburg in September, when four winners (representing the four elements – earth, air, water and fire) will be announced. The ultimate winner (earth) will represent the country at the international round, Miss Earth, in the Philippines.
