Miss Limpopo Province 2024’s roots in Malamulele
Hlaluko Sambo wants to focus on skills development programmes and arts and culture in schools so that young people can have the skills to journey into entrepreneurship.
LIMPOPO – The 20-year-old Hlaluko Sambo raised the Malamulele flag high when she was recently crowned Miss Limpopo Province 2024.
Sambo, from Mhinga village outside Malamulele, discovered her modelling talent in Gr 8 at Jim Chavani High School where she participated in arts and culture in activities including xibelani, poetry, storytelling, a beauty contest, Sarafina dance and makhwaya.
She is currently studying toward an LLB degree at the University of Johannesburg.
“My journey with beauty pageants is a beautiful one. I participated in many at my school each year, and I would always win until I got to Gr 10. Then, I felt like it was time I faced other learners who were interested in a fair chance to participate. From there I decided to join pageants outside my school.”
Her first pageant was Miss Juno’s Dashing Party 2020, where she was crowned as queen.
“In 2021 I entered other pageants, including Miss Mhinga 2021, Miss Classic Phiphidi 2021 and Miss Thohoyandou Ambassador 2021. In 2022 I took a break to focus on my matric year. And then, I entered Miss Limpopo where I was crowned Miss Limpopo Province 2024 Queen,” said Sambo.
Being Miss Limpopo Province is a dream come true, she said.
“I remember writing down my 2023 resolutions at the beginning of the year, which included to win a big title and here I am owning a provincial title. Apart from that, being Miss Limpopo Province means being a leader and an inspiration to young people. Young people are great imitators and I want to give them something to imitate. It also means being the voice for the voiceless and serving the communities. As a young woman who believes in empowerment through education, my goal is to complete my studies and be known as an educated pageantry queen. One of my other biggest goals is to work with big brands on the fashion side and have my face seen on billboards,” she said.
She told CV that her journey has been amazing, as she developed self-growth, learned the importance of protecting her mental health and most importantly, being patient with herself.
“Youth empowerment and basic education are the causes close to my heart. Young girls in my community will benefit from a good role model that they can look up to. I have witnessed so much teenage pregnancies and girls dropping out of school and I hope through this platform, I can be able to bring change.”
She also wants to focus on skills development programmes and arts and culture in schools, she added, “so that young people can have the skills and direction they need to journey into entrepreneurship”.
She further said her family is her number one supporter.
“They always make sure I never feel as if I am not good enough. They cheer me on, advise me, protect me from getting exploited, and remind me of the importance of including God In everything I do,” she explains.
