Struggle of pageant finalist turns pain into purpose
After years of bullying and body shaming, Miss Golden Heart South Africa 2025 finalist Ntombikayise ‘Kayise’ Zikhali is turning her pain into purpose.
Ntombikayise ‘Kayise’ Zikhali, a proud finalist in Miss Golden Heart South Africa 2025, stands out as more than just a beauty queen; she is an advocate for body positivity.
As a learner, Zikhali grappled with poor self-esteem and endured bullying throughout her primary and high school years – a struggle familiar to many teenagers navigating body image issues. She said, it got to a point where she struggled with self-acceptance and started hating her body. Thankfully, that self-hate did not last long, because of a reminder from her grandmother that helped shift her perspective. “My grandmother reminded me that God did not make a mistake by giving me the body he gave me. All I have to do is to accept myself and appreciate my body.”
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That message of self-love and acceptance now forms the foundation of her advocacy. Through her pageantry platform, she is challenging harmful beauty standards and empowering young South Africans to embrace their unique qualities.
With 18 titles to her name, the 22-year-old’s success did not come easy. Behind the crowns is a young woman who often competed without the resources many take for granted. “I used to struggle with meeting the pageant requirements, or demands of the pageant. Sometimes I would not have the outfits needed. I would compete with the same dress in five different competitions. They would call me ‘Miss Black’, but I didn’t let that bring me down. It motivated me instead. I had to stay true to myself and my values.”
Now, Zikhali is determined to use her platform to help others see what she finally saw in herself, by promoting body positivity, self-acceptance, and empowerment among young people. She also aims to partner with local organisations to run mental health outreach and empowerment programmes targeting the youth.
As an accomplished beauty queen, a resolute young woman, and an advocate of body positivity, her message is clear: “Stay true to yourself and your values. Practice what you preach and lead by example. Ignore negativity and use your platform to empower others.”
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