Kwa-Thema teen model sets her sights on being a safe space for young girls
“Girls Unite is a girl empowerment campaign that aims to raise awareness on issues girls face today and for them to come together and discuss those issues as well as help each other get through them.”
Kwa-Thema – Miss Teen East Rand 2022 created a space for girls to discuss their issues. Lebogang Ramathibela has walked on pageant stages since the start of last year.
The 17-year-old took the Miss Teen East Rand 2022 crown, was a Miss Teen Universe SA 2024 finalist, a Miss Heart of Ekurhuleni 2023 ambassador, and entered Figures International Miss Congeniality 2023 and Face of Ekasi Fashion Week 2023.
Speaking to African Reporter, she said she had always wanted to be a fashion designer, but that changed last year when she saw a post on social media calling for entries for the Miss Teen East Rand.
“I immediately decided to try my luck by entering the competition to gauge how far I could go in the competition.
“Having gone through the various levels of the competition, I could not believe my ears when they called my name and announced me as a winner,” she added.
The model said she founded an NPO in 2021 called the Lebogang Foundation. It does community service, donates, and fundraises for the less privileged.
“On August 1, I launched a campaign, Girls Unite, to empower girls in honour of Women’s Month. As I continue my modelling journey, I would like to share my journey as a girl and have the chance to listen to others as we empower one another.
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“Girls Unite is a girl empowerment campaign that aims to raise awareness on issues girls face today and for them to come together and discuss those issues as well as help each other get through them,” she added.
Lebogang said the sessions are held every Saturday in August from 18:00 live on Instagram, and she will host other pageant girls.
They will engage with other girls and advise those who open up because the campaign aims to build a safe space for girls.
