KAMAGUGU – The province’s new queen was crowned on Saturday night at Church on the Hill.
Crowning Miss Mpumalanga is not an easy road as hundreds of young girls from across the region enter the competition annually. Elaine Mkhabela was the most beautiful rose from the bouquet of finalists.
The pageant is sponsored by the Mpumalanga Gambling Board and hosted by Mzimari Productions. Twelve eager young beauties vied for the coveted crown.
Since its inception, the event has attracted hundreds of beauties from across the province. This beauty pageant has also produced the current Miss South Africa, Ntandoyenkosi Kunene who hails from Piet Retief. Kunene was also in attendance on Saturday.
According to the event organiser, Ms Gugu Nyarenda, every aspect of the pageant supports the ideals and attributes of a woman who has her own goals and views of her role within her local community.
These ideals are emphasised by the associated charitable causes which the winner participates in Mpumalanga.
“We guide the girls to impact their communities positively. The winner also walks away with a car sponsored by the Mpumalanga Gambling Board and a bursary,” she said.
Nyarenda added that all the finalists received iPads and those without driving licences would be assisted in attaining them.
“We will also take them on coaching sessions in order to empower them and make sure that they choose the best career paths,” she said.
In attendance was MEC for economic development and tourism, Mr Eric Kholwane. Kholwane also mentioned that plans were underway to assist the beauty pageant in getting sponsorship in future.
“I will engage and convince the MEC for finance to help this initiative grow because it has helped the province to produce people like Ms South Africa who hails from our region,” he said.
On Friday the premier, Mr David Mabuza said the province would host a major celebration to honour the various role players who have put Mpumalanga on the map in different arenas.
They will include Karabo Mogane who won season 11 of Idols South Africa, Rolene Strauss, Miss World 2014, and others.
