Three young ambassadors stepped forward, crown or no crown, ready to serve their community following the annual Mr and Miss Alexandra Heritage pageant in Marlboro on September 27.

The event brought together young people from Alexandra and neighbouring townships for a celebration of their identity and cultural roots.

This year’s pageant ended without a queen or king. Judges felt none of the contestants fully met the criteria required for the top titles. However, three models walked away with titles, and each vowed to use their position to serve the community.

First Princess Wanga Nndwa said her work began well before the crowning day. She had already been passing on what she learned to other young models in the pageant.

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“I showed them that we can be leaders, that we are born leaders, and there is a leader inside all of us,” she said.

The missing crown has not dented her resolve. “I feel happy, and I want to continue doing it, even if I do not have a crown. It is not about the crown; it is about the service,” Nndwa said.

Miss Personality Angel Bhengu, who was also joyous to receive a title, said it comes with a responsibility she intends to honour.

Going forward, she said she will keep working to empower young people and ensure they have the support and confidence to thrive.

Second Princess Buhle Attica Zulu admitted that balancing school and pageantry was not easy, but she said the effort was worth it. Excited about her title, she said it means continuing to reach out to others and teaching them about their roots and culture.

That emphasis on roots is exactly why Hlehle Ngubane founded the pageant. She said her vision was to teach young people about pageantry, Alexandra’s heritage, and how to embrace their culture with pride.

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Ngubane described this year’s event as a success, despite the absence of a king and queen. The programme, she explained, runs throughout the year, not just on pageant day.

She said models attend classes where it is made clear that they must be rooted in community service.

The pageant’s timing was deliberate. Heritage Month, celebrated in September across South Africa, is a time when citizens honour their cultures, and Ngubane said the pageant’s aim goes beyond that.

“We are celebrating our inheritance as it is heritage. We are also focusing on the cultural side, reminding everyone about heritage and where we come from.”

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