Mbanga is completing her degree in transport economics, which she hopes to use as she pursues a political career in the transport sector.
Although born in the Eastern Cape, Mbanga has spent her time in Gauteng between Pretoria, where her family is, and in Johannesburg, where she is enrolled at the University of Johannesburg. Mbanga has big dreams for herself and aspires to affect real change in the sustainable transport sector.
The runners up of Miss Earth South Africa hail from equally diverse backgrounds. Miss Air Erin Roche, first runner up, currently lives in Centurion, but was born and raised in Nelspruit, a town where she said, “A kind heart goes a long way.”
Miss Water Thobile Mchunu, second runner up, was born in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, and now considers herself a Joburger through and through, having lived in the nation’s economic capital since her family moved inland when she was in Grade 3. She is currently working at a youth marketing agency.
Limpopo-based model and businesswoman, Katryn Barwise, took the Miss Fire title as the third runner up. Barwise owns a youth development organisation and she has worked extensively with school learners of all ages on numerous environmental education programmes.
Other highlights of the evening included the announcement of the three Miss Earth South Africa Ambassadors for 2013: Carmen Loureiro from Bedfordview, Makgomo Sebesho from the West Rand, and Nicole Laxton, also from Bedfordview. The announcement of the ambassadors came shortly after the announcement of Laxton as the recipient of the Best in Evening Wear Award, and Barwise as the Public Choice recipient, having received in excess of 1 200 votes. Barwise was also awarded the Green Project Award, having planted 120 trees across the Limpopo Province.
The event was emceed by Jersey Boys heart-throb and actor, Emmanuel Castis.
