Bokamoso Shabalala crowned Miss Thokoza High School

Bokamoso Shabalala (16) from Everest, Thokoza, was crowned as the queen of the Miss Thokoza High School (MTHS) 2023.

She was crowned during the second annual MTHS, held at the Old Age Home in Thokoza, at 3521 Mokoena Street, on December 2.

This crown marks the second for Shabalala. She is the reigning queen for Miss Thokoza Heritage crowned on September 30, and she also bagged the public choice title at the MTSH 20203.

She was crowned alongside the first princess Khanyisa Melissa Kungwayo (16) from Palm Ridge, Katlehong, miss personality Lilitha Zaza (15) from Phola Park and Motshedisi Sajida Alice Sekhabisa (17) from Unit F, Thokoza for the director’s choice.

Seventeen contenders participated and seven were short-listed. The judges tasked with the difficult duty of selecting the winners in all four categories were Mr Katlehong Luvuyo Thobela, Miss Katlehong Ellen Rathabotha and Mbali Malevu.

The newly crowned queen said she did not expect to win, citing that her mindset was to learn and improve her modelling career.

She said she believed it was about the journey and the company. She never got to think about the destination.

“I am grateful to be the new MTHS queen. It means a lot to me. I know it comes with responsibilities and I am willing to use my title for a greater purpose,” said Shabalala.

“I started an NPO with my first title and I hope the MTHS platform will assist me in getting sponsors to help those in need.”

Shabalala attends school at Buhlebuzile Secondary School. Her dream is to be Miss Universe one day.
She said she plans to further her career in modelling by continuing to participate in beauty pageants, as this will help her gain more experience.

Sekhabisa said she was honoured to be part of MTHS. The journey was an incredible experience from start to finish.

The young star recently completed writing her matric examinations at Teneo Education.

She said winning the director’s choice meant everything to her and was a validation of her hard work and dedication. It is also a reminder that the message of love and acceptance is resonating with people.

She further noted this is a moment she will never forget.

“It is a testament to the hard work and dedication I put into achieving this feat. I used my platform to spread messages of love, acceptance, and inclusivity,” said Skhabisa.

The 17-year-old said that it shows her messages resonated with the judges and the audience.

“This achievement is not about me. It is about the people who have supported me on this journey. It is about the organisations I have worked with to create programmes that promote diversity and inclusivity,” she explained.

“It shows that our message is making a difference. It is a reminder that I am not alone in this fight and that we have the power to create positive change in our community with the Siyayiyenza Foundation.

“I am excited to see what the future holds and am committed to continuing with my work to promote love, acceptance, and inclusivity,” she concluded.

Zaza is a Grade Nine learner at Sijabulile Secondary School. She said winning the Miss Personality title was a great achievement for her because this was her second time participating and her first time winning a title.

Kungwayo, a learner at Tisetsong Secondary School, said she is thrilled by her achievement as it will open more opportunities for her to give back to the community.

The event was organised by the founder of MTKH and former Miss Albinism 2021, Bontle Mavuka, in partnership with the Siyayiyenza Foundation.

Mavuka said she established the beauty pageant to help improve her community and to help address the social ills teenage girls face.

She said organising the second annual MTHS was financially frustrating, but sponsors came through for them.

“This year the girls struggled with selling their tickets. I had to pull some strings to put the event together,” said Mavuka.

She said successfully hosting this second event made her and her parents extremely proud, especially because I was juggling it with my matric exams.

“I am proud of all the girls who competed. They entered this pageant, unsure of their capabilities, they were not confident. But after a few months with me, I could see the improvement and how they were falling in love with themselves.”

Sponsors who supported MTHS

• Gogtown Trading Projects and Dlabane Glassworks paid for the gifts, venue and food.

• Lebo’s Pick N Pay Market supplied the cake and sashes.

• Thuli Gugu Mosana paid for the décor.

• Thandazo Mosana paid for the tickets and certificate.