Alberton teen Lola-Hope Myburgh crowned with 3 national pageant titles

Sixteen-year-old Lola-Hope Myburgh is celebrating after claiming the Face of Miss Teen South Africa and Miss Teen Universal South Africa crowns, alongside a social media award.

Myburgh, who was previously featured in the Alberton Record for her teddy bear drive and her journey of turning personal challenges into a mission to help others, said the achievement still feels surreal.

“It feels surreal, but mostly I’m just filled with so much gratitude and excitement for everything ahead,” says Myburgh.

She says her mind went blank for a moment when her name was announced before a wave of relief and joy followed.

“I remember thinking, ‘All the hard work, late-night prep, and early mornings actually paid off.'”

Myburgh said she was surprised to walk away with three titles, as her main goal had simply been to give her best performance and leave the stage without regrets.

“Walking away with three titles blew away my expectations,” she said.

For Myburgh, the Face of Miss Teen South Africa title represents much more than wearing a crown.

“It means stepping into a powerful position of influence. To me, it’s not just about a crown or a title; it’s about having a platform to be a voice for my peers, advocate for causes I care about, and show other teens that our dreams are valid.”

Her Miss Teen Universal South Africa title will also take her journey beyond the country’s borders.

“It represents a massive opportunity to look beyond our borders and think globally while staying rooted at home,” she said.

She will represent South Africa internationally in Turkey, where she hopes to embrace diversity and cultural pride while representing her country on a bigger stage.

Recognised for social media influence

Myburgh also received the Social Media Influencer title, an achievement she said was particularly meaningful as a member of Generation Z.

“As someone of Gen Z, social media is our native language,” she said.

She said the recognition validated the effort she has put into creating a positive and authentic digital space.

“It shows that people appreciate content that inspires and uplifts rather than just entertains.”

As she takes on her new responsibilities, Myburgh said she wants to show both the glamorous and more realistic sides of her journey.

“I want to keep it real. Perfection is overrated, so I plan on sharing not just the glitz and glamour, but the behind-the-scenes hustle, study tips, and honest conversations about mental health and self-confidence.”

Balancing school and pageantry

Myburgh described the pageant experience as a period of growth, sisterhood and self-discovery.

She said balancing schoolwork and exam preparation with pageant training was one of her biggest challenges.

“Time management became my best friend, but it taught me a lot about discipline and grace under pressure,” she said.

One of her most memorable moments was walking onto the stage and spotting her parents in the audience.

“Seeing their proud, glowing smiles amidst all the lights and noise completely grounded me and gave my an incredible wave of confidence.”

She credits her family, close friends and mentors for helping her through moments of self-doubt.

“They were the ones reminding me of who I am. Their belief in me kept me going when things got overwhelming.”

Community outreach plans

Myburgh said her new titles come with a sense of responsibility.

“With great titles come great accountability. I feel responsible for being a positive role model, using my voice mindfully, and showing up for community initiatives with authenticity and dedication.”

She plans to visit schools in Alberton and across Gauteng to mentor young girls, while also working on community projects.

Her advice to young girls who dream of entering pageants is simple.

“Just start! You don’t need to wait until you feel completely ready or ‘perfect’. Step out of your comfort zone, trust your unique magic, and remember that pageantry is ultimately about competing against who you were yesterday.”

The teenager said she never imagined she would one day hold three national titles.

“If you told younger me that I’d be holding three national titles today, I wouldn’t have believed you. It just shows what happens when you commit to a goal and refuse to give up,” she said.

Myburgh is now preparing to finish her school term strongly while taking on her new responsibilities and preparing for the international leg of her journey in Turkey.

She also has several local community outreach initiatives planned in Gauteng and will share details of upcoming appearances and projects on her social media platforms.

Describing the journey as ‘transformative, humbling, and surreal’, Myburgh said she remains grateful for the support that has brought her to this point.

For the Alberton teenager, the next chapter will see her take her message beyond South Africa as she prepares to represent the country internationally.