Siyabonga recounts his journey to Mr Emalahleni competition

Siyabonga Sibeko (21), a second-year Information and Technology student at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) takes us on his path to becoming Mr Emalahleni’s first prince and Photogenic 2022.

It all began when he was in his first year when he competed in Mr TUT in 2020.

Siyabonga said it was his first time, and he only joined with the intentions of gaining experience, having fun and making new friends along the way.

The moment he stepped on the stage for the first time, he said it felt so great and he decided that was something he wants to do more often, so he joined Mr Emalahleni the following year.

“My journey of winning in Mr Emalahleni was never easy”, he said.

Even though he did not make it in Mr TUT, he never stopped competing in other competitions and went on to participate in Mr Emalahleni.

Siyabonga said, it was never easy, and he doesn’t want to lie, the competition was very tough, but he knew that with the hard work and dedication he put in through the entire journey, he stood a chance of winning something.

Indeed, all his efforts were rewarded when he was crowned Mr Emalahleni’s first prince and Photogenic 2022 on November 6, 2021.

Siyabonga said he was so excited that it felt like a dream coming true.

“I was so grateful because I knew I hadn’t let everyone down who believed in me,” he added.

He further added on sharing his future, which includes continuing with modelling and joining big pageants such as Mr Mpumalanga.

In addition to modelling, Siyabonga is a young business-minded entrepreneur who is highly motivated and driven by success.

He is the co-founder of the Visionary Movement, a platform he and a friend created to market and sell anything that comes to them as a business idea.

Siyabonga goes on to encourage people by saying that they can achieve anything they want in life, if they step outside of their comfort zone, believe in themselves, and give it their all.