Kempton Park beauty reaches Miss SA Africa top five

Kempton Park resident Layla Zoubair reached the top five of the Miss South Africa pageant.

The pageant finale was held on August 10 at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria and Mia le Roux was crowned the winner.

Zoubair said she was grateful to have made it to the top five.

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Reflecting on her experience in the pageantry, Zoubair said it still feels like a dream but she is content because she gave it her best.

“I was so excited when my name was called out as a finalist. I am so happy that I was given a second chance to fight for my dreams,” said Zoubair.

“My journey to Miss South Africa has been incredible. There were times when it was extremely challenging and I felt like I had to step out of my comfort zone, which was difficult.

“I also learned that sometimes it’s necessary for growth to talk feel like not a lot of people talk about the issues that we have to face and that we have to go through as single mothers.

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“So it was so important for me to be able to represent that community and to teach women that you are not a product of your circumstances and it is never too late to go after your dreams,” said Zoubair.

Zoubair said she I practised her walk a lot. She made sure she was mentally, physically and emotionally ready before entering.

She said going into the competition she wanted to stay true to herself and be as authentic as possible.

“My purpose of representing single mothers and advocating for issues that affect them is a powerful narrative that likely distinguished me from others.

“It shows that my participation in the pageant is not just about personal achievement, but about making a difference for a community that is often overlooked,” said Zoubair.

“Had I won the pageant, given my journey, I would have focused on creating programmes that empower single mothers.

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“This would include skills training workshops, entrepreneurship programmes, and support networks to help them achieve financial independence and build better lives for themselves and their children,” she added.

Zoubair said the most challenging part of the competition for her was opening up and sharing her personal story.

“As a single mother who has faced significant challenges, I initially found it difficult to be vulnerable and speak openly about my experiences.

“There was a part of me that felt fear and uncertainty fear of judgment, and uncertainty about how my story would be received.”

“The challenges I have faced and the connections made have only solidified my understanding that I am capable of so much more than I ever imagined,” she added.

“I am leaving this journey with a renewed sense of confidence and a deep belief in who I am and what I can achieve.”

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Zoubair said this is not the end of a competition but the beginning of a new chapter where she will carry forward everything she learned.

She said she is excited to continue on this path with the confidence that she can conquer whatever comes her way.

Zoubair’s plans include focusing on her clothing line and hopefully getting to work with other brands.

“I am going to continue to help empower our mothers and children. I want to ensure that every woman, regardless of her circumstances, has the opportunity to thrive,” said Zoubair.