Melokuhle Hlophe (21) has the walk, the flare and dazzle to be the University of Mpumalanga’s (UMP) LGBTQIA+ Ambassador, but he has more to offer to the LGBTQIA+ community.
LGBTIQA+ is an world-renowned evolving acronym that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual and plus.
Hlophe was crowned as the UMP LGBTQIA+ Ambassador 2024 at the UMP’s multipurpose hall on Friday, October 4.
He advocates for equality of members of this community. “I want to ensure there is no division among individuals who identify within our community with that of people who do not. People who identify within these communities are human beings first, before their sexuality,” he said.
@lowvelder The 21-year-old model and bachelor of arts student, Melokuhle Hlophe, dazzled the judges and bagged the University of Mpumalanga LGBTQIA+ Ambassador title. #lgbtqia #lgbtqiaplus #lgbtqia🏳️🌈 #mpumalanga🇿🇦 #gaytiktok
He is quite excited to indulge in community work that will benefit the LGBTQIA+ community, and to inspire girls and boys to be confident of their sexuality.
Hlophe said he aligns with the vision of the pageant, which is facilitated by the UMP Models Society.
“The pageant strives for inclusive of both genders and the LGBTQIA+ community which makes it one of the unique platforms I have ever been part of. I have won 36 titles which are male only.”
Hlophe said he first started modelling and pageantry in 2016 when he was in Grade Eight.
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He is originally from Daggakraal near Amersfoort in Mpumalanga, but lived in Dobsonville, Soweto for most of his life.
He is currently enrolled with the UMP Mbombela Campus for a bachelor of arts degree, but he eventually wants to pursue a career in clinical psychology.
