9-year-old model takes over the runways in Mbombela
Bontle Pungulwana is the current reigning Miss Preteen KaBokweni, and is ready to nab more crowns with the help of her mother/manager.
With just a year into the pageantry and modelling scene, the nine-year-old Bontle Pungulwana, also known as the ‘Xhosa Princess’, is taking over stages in Nsikazi.
Miss Preteen KaBokweni 2023 gained popularity on social media when she entered for Miss Hazyview in 2022. Her presence on stage has left many amazed. Winning her current title was a foot in the door. She was also voted for the best dressed and public choice in that competition.
“She is confident and speaks well in public. I believe she will go places and achieve her dreams through modelling. She will be crowned Miss Universe one day,” said Bontle’s mum and manager, Cynthia Shabangu.
She said she had introduced her daughter to pageants because she showed interest in them, watching pageant videos on TikTok and sometimes mimic the contestants. “She is always excited to watch pageants and watches videos on TikTok. She taught herself how to represent herself and be proud of her heritage as a Xhosa girl. The name ‘Xhosa Princess’ comes from her father before he died. I told her that was what her father used to call her when I was pregnant with her. I am proud of how she chose to carry her legacy given by her father.”
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She said she is supportive of her child’s interests, because it keeps her busy and it is a road full of great opportunities. “As much as I have allowed her to be in a public space, I sometimes do get scared of the publicity she is gaining. That is why I manage her social media pages, especially Facebook. I also limit her time on TikTok so that she does not lose focus from her schoolwork and enjoy life as a young girl.”
At the moment, Bontle is aiming for another win as she is a finalist for Mini Miss Mpumalanga. “The pageant required quite a few community services, which gave her a chance to give back and grow as an individual in the community. I taught her how to pray from an early age and to put God at the forefront of everything she does,” said Shabangu.
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Bontle said she hopes she becomes Miss Universe one day to inspire and uplift her peers through strategies that will tackle socio-economic challenges.
