Thando Nkonzwana
Cape Town - Thando Nkonzwana, a 28-year-old advocate for youth development, has been selected to represent the Western Cape in the prestigious Mission Stellar World Pageant 2025.
A Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management student at the Regent Business School, Nkonzwana is not merely stepping onto the pageant stage to flaunt her grace and charm; she is on a mission to transform lives.
Rising from her humble beginnings in the township of Charlesville, her commitment to empowering young individuals through skills development and confidence-building has already made substantial impacts in her community.
“I provide modelling classes that not only nurture confidence but also focus on preparing young people for future opportunities.
“This includes educational programmes to equip them for careers such as call centre roles, helping them take meaningful steps toward employment and independence.”
Reflecting on her journey, Nkonzwana said the challenges she faced after high school included financial hurdles that kept her from pursuing her tertiary education, and she began working at a salon where she found a path to modelling.
“My mother had no money for me to go to school, and I couldn’t even get the National Student Financial Aid Scheme because my mother owned a tavern that was registered under South African Breweries.”
Nkonzwana candidly discusses the pressure she felt during her formative years, particularly regarding her body image.
“Growing up, I always felt pressured because I was obese. It wasn’t easy for me to overcome such things but now I can because I have a stunning body and have hosted pageants.”
As she embarks on her new chapter, her primary goal extends beyond the pageant; it resides in deepening her engagement with her community through development projects.
“I would like the community to support me by allowing me to get more modelling classes so that I can teach during the weekends to focus on something positive,” she said.
Nkonzwana is calling on shelters and orphanages to invite her to share her knowledge and insights, highlighting her commitment to giving back.
With plans to expand her agency, Image Makers Modelling, she seeks sponsors who can help bolster her efforts.
“I am looking for sponsors that can help boost my modelling agency so that I can help kids that are less fortunate who do not have access to the resources other children have.”
Nkonzwana’s dedication to her cause is unwavering, and she views the pageant as an opportunity to amplify her advocacy.
sibuliso.duba@inl.co.za
Cape Argus
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