Prettiest flower in the garden is local
As a little girl growing up in the township, Ntandoyenkosi said she would model around her house, while practising her speech in front of the mirror.
MBOMBELA – Every garden has a flower that blooms prettier than the rest. Mpumalanga’s own Ntandoyenkosi Kunene’s story is proof of that.
She was crowned Miss South Africa 2016 on Saturday night at Carnival City, Gauteng, adding to the rich achievements Mpumalanga has registered in recent years.
The runners-up were Elizabeth Molapo from the Free state (first princess) and Tayla Skye Robinson from Gauteng (second princess).
In 2015 another Mpumalanga citizen and former local Lowveld High School (LHS) pupil, Karabo Magano won South African Idols. In 2014 Rolene Strauss of Volksrust was crowned Miss World 2014, further making locals proud to be citizens of the province. Mpumi Luphuko was also crowned Miss Tourism Universe 2015.
Ntandoyenkosi was born and bred in Thandukukhanya township in Mkhondo (Piet Retief). This 23-year-old teacher is also former Miss Mpumalanga 2013, a title she won during her third year at university.
She is not a beauty without brains. She holds a BA degree in education from the University of Witwatersrand. She added that her role model was Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng, the first black woman to obtain a PhD in mathematics education, who also runs the Adopt-a-Learner foundation.
As a little girl growing up in the township, Ntandoyenkosi said she would model around her house, while practising her speech in front of the mirror.
“I had always hoped, prayed and believed that one day my name would be called as the new Miss South Africa. Words cannot begin to describe the joy in my heart,” the jovial beauty said.
Back home in Mpumalanga, locals have sent their messages of support and congratulations.
The MEC for culture, sport and recreation, Ms Norah Mahlangu-Mabena, said the province was proud to be the home of the young leader.
“We are proud of Ntandoyenkosi’s achievement and we know that she is going to represent South Africa very well and make us proud. She will also bring positive and strategic programmes to the youth of Mpumalanga. We are looking forward to working with her to address matters of youth development in the province,” Mahlangu-Mabena said.
Ntandoyenkosi said the beauty pageant had produced women of substance in the past and she was happy to join their ranks.
“The Miss South Africa brand has, in the past half century, produced selfless women who use the opportunities afforded them to not only elevate themselves, but to be of help to others, to serve,” she said.
She also mentioned that she would like to help others rise above their circumstances and stop people from defining themselves by where they come from or what they do.
As Miss South Africa 2016, Ntandoyenkosi will walk away with more than R2 million in prizes, including a Nissan Navara, a seven-night international holiday and cash. Event organisers said the pageant could be one of the richest beauty competitions based on the prize value.
Her message to other girls and young women is, “Most women succeed against all odds. I say start writing your own story,” she said.
