Silence descended upon the limited crowd that gathered at the Coastland Hotel in Durban. In just seconds, the winner of the Miss Teen Universe South Africa 2021 pageant would be announced. Two young ladies have made it to the top two, 17-year-old Ntando Sgudla is one of them.
This is not the first she finds herself on a similar stage. She was only 15 years old when she was crowned Miss SA Teen Ambassador 2019 – the youngest to carry the title. She also took home the 2nd Princess Crown in the Miss Teen Commonwealth South Africa 2020. But this time it is different, the stage is a bit bigger and the stakes are a bit higher. The winner of the Miss Teen Universe South Africa (SA) contest will jet off to Dubai to represent the country at the grand Miss Teen Universe pageant, in October 2021.
After what must have felt like an eternity, Ntando’s name is called and she is officially crowned the new Miss Teen Universe SA 2021. Celebrations would have to be cut short, though. Sgudla, the Pretoria High School for Girls matric learner, has to catch up on her school work.
[also read] – Thobile Steyn crowned Miss Soweto 2020
A week after that magical night, the newly crowned Miss Teen Universe SA is speaking to Soweto Urban at her family home in Orlando East, Soweto. Sgudla, who turns 18 later this year, is as poised, well-spoken, and as graceful at home as she is on stage. She described the moment her name was announced as ‘humbling’.
“It wasn’t chaotic. I remember looking at my mother, the people who travelled with me, and the contestants that came over to hug me. In that moment I just felt humbled and appreciative of the entire journey. It was just a moment of pure incredible joy,” she recalled.
The months leading up to the day were, however, far from any form of joy. Ntando went through extensive preparation, a rigorous workout schedule, diet, and reading, all whilst juggling her school work.
So I just did something big???????? I am officially Miss Teen Universe South Africa ????❤️ pic.twitter.com/xLPiieGxGS
— Ntando Sgudla (@NtandoSgudla) March 22, 2021
So what drives this teenager’s impeccable rise? Ntando’s secret weapon sits beside her, her pillar, her coach, her mother. Former Netball South Africa national team player, Jabulile Sangweni has invested heavily in her daughter’s passion. Sangweni recalls, vividly, the first time she picked up on Ntando’s passion. Although she had little to no knowledge or experience in pageantry, she decided she would support her daughter in any way she could.
“I don’t know where her love for pageantry came from. But I noticed that every time we watched the Miss South Africa or Miss Universe contests Ntando just couldn’t sit still. She would walk around the house in heels, pretending to be one of the contestants, with the biggest smile on her face. From there I knew I had to support her. I reached out to people who had been in the industry and asked if they would coach or advise her, luckily some were very keen, and then I entered her into her first pageant,” Sangweni tells Soweto Urban.
“My mom is everything, she’s the support structure, she’s the coach and she’s my motivator. When I get lazy she’s quick to remind me and keep me disciplined. She stays up with me going through possible questions and doing research. I’m very grateful to have her in my corner,” Ntando adds.
Despite her impressive record of titles at her green age and a Dubai trip to represent South Africa on the international stage just over the horizon, Ntando is not at all phased by the winning reputation that may soon precede her.
“I try not to think about that. I try to remember the important things: being true to who you are, hard work, being disciplined, and kind to my fellow contestants because everyone is under pressure. I want to stay balanced and not overwhelmed. This is not a title I take likely, it comes with a responsibility to use the platform for good and to help people,” she said.
The 17-year-old will, in the meantime, have to find a balance between acing her matric and serving in her role as the country’s new Miss Teen Universe South Africa 2021.
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