MPILWENHLE Shezi, a local model who is equal parts sassy and smart, was recently crowned the Miss SINW Junior Queen 2021 at the Sakha Isizwe Ngomuntu Wesifazane pageant in Durban.
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The Cato Ridge resident started modelling last year when she entered the Miss Pinetown pageant and, to date, has scooped many crowns, including the Miss eThekwini District 10, second princess Miss Easter Bunny and first princess Miss Autumn.
“It has been a great and a very educational journey, all thanks to Dr N Madlala ‘Mam Sphithiphithi’ for her programme on girl child empowerment,” said the grateful pageant princess.
She also claimed the Brand Ambassador, Influencer and Miss Public Choice awards.
“I would like to thank all who supported me throughout the journey, and I promise that I will continue with programmes in my community to fight teenage pregnancy and drug abuse,” she said.
The 11-year-old is a Grade 6 learner at George Cato Primary School and aspires to be a doctor when she is older. Next year she will represent KwaZulu-Natal at the International Junior Miss South Africa competition.
“I am proud of Mpilwenhle’s achievements. She has done well throughout the year and I hope next year she will represent our province with pride and dignity,” said Mpilwenhle’s dad, Ayanda Shezi.
Her dad said the campaigns and pageants have changed Mpilwenhle’s life completely. “She is now a light in our community and a star to her peers as they now see her as their role model,” said the proud dad.
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