Morningside resident, Kwenzakonke Mncwango, is a finalist for the Zee World, Miss Teen Commonwealth SA 2016/2017.
Mncwango partnered with The Red Wings Project SA to address issues regarding the lack of sanitation for disadvantaged young women in Cape Town, specifically in Khayelitsha and Langa.
She is originally from KwaNongoma in KwaZulu-Natal and is currently in her second year at the University of Cape Town studying for her Business Science Degree, majoring in finance and accounting.
The 19-year-old believes that feminine sanitation should not be excluded from those who cannot afford it or stop them from living their lives fully.
The Red Wings Project Cape Town is a subdivision of The Red Wings Project South Africa, which was founded by Olwethu Njoloza-Leshabane.
“The Red Wings Project Cape Town is a student-run project where we aim to use our knowledge, experience, skills and privilege to benefit young individuals in a meaningful way. The project aims to create a sustainable future for young individuals in the Cape Peninsula who are gifted but dis-empowered through poverty. Our aim is to promote dignity and sexual abstinence,” Mncwango explained.
Mncwango explained that her partnership with the project provides sanitary care and a sisterhood programme as a support structure for many young females in grades 8 to 12.
“It is important to help and instil hope in young females as well as self-worth and self-love by guiding them through menstruation as well as hosting workshops at each school where we engage with pupils on the topics of menstruation, post matric options, gender and sex, to name a few,” Mncwango expressed.
The pageant empowers teenage girls with the knowledge to be future young leaders. It helps them focus on leadership skills, modeling and public speaking. All contestants need to make a difference in their communities during the competition. The pageant is in its third year and the main prize is R15 000 cash plus other prizes.
Through the Commonwealth Pageants, a platform is created for women of all ages to become charity and culture ambassadors within the country and the broader international community. The titleholders become involved in charitable causes and uphold the aims and objectives of the Commonwealth.
Details: Follow Kwenzakonke Mncwango’s journey by liking her Facebook page
