A bevvy of 15 dandily dressed grannies from Thokoza, adorned in their Sunday best, turned heads at the Kathorus Welfare Centre on May 13, during the Miss Sukuma Mbokoda Beauty Pageant 2025, where they treated scores of jubilant locals to a beauty pageant with a difference.

Decently attired in their finest, the contestants were part of the 15 local gogos who spruced themselves up to take part in a beauty contest that aimed to find the prettiest gogo in the community to wear the crown, Miss Sukuma Mbokodo in Thokoza.

The event saw the contestants strut their stuff on stage like seasoned professionals, to the delight of the excited crowd. Each displayed their graceful catwalk poses, style and individual fashion sense and composure.

A contestant, Margaret Fatyela (78), who displayed confidence and walked impressively on the runway, received the crown as queen of the beauty pageant, with Lidia Mokoena (81) crowned as the first princess and Alinah Tshonisile as the second princess.

Fatyela, overwhelmed with excitement, thanked everyone who supported her during the contest.

“As old people, we are neglected and do not have enough fun activities. We thank SMSG for changing that by hosting the modelling contest.

“Since we have become part of SMSG, we feel happy and appreciated. They have fun activities hosted for us, and we enjoy them, including this beauty pageant,” said Fatyela.

She added she was delighted to win the competition, although she was not expecting it.

“I entered the beauty pageant for fun and enjoyment, and to win is a milestone for me. I also applaud my competitors because they have also had an impressive performance. The event was a success, and I appreciate what they have done for us as pensioners,” Fatyela expressed.

Mokoena (81), who scooped the first princess position, said she prayed and practised consistently for the competition, and was glad to reap the rewards.

“I am happy with the position I scooped, because I believe that is what I deserve. Since I became part of SMSG, I have been living my best twilight years.

“I would not trade this experience for anything else, and am delighted to be the first princess,” Mokoena shared.
She mentioned she enjoyed posing and displaying her modelling skills on the runway.

“This is one thing I could not do when I was young, because I was always busy fending for my family. I thank SMSG for this wonderful experience,” Mokoena added.

Another elderly person, Tshonisile (77), crowned the second princess, said she felt satisfied with her accomplishment.

“All the contestants were phenomenal, and I believe they too have won, although not crowned. I am glad we can demonstrate our age does not limit us from achieving great things,” Tshonisile shared.

SMSG founder Mama Dizzy Mbuli said they hosted the beauty pageant to encourage the elderly to stay positive.

“We want them to understand they might be old, but that does not necessarily mean their lives must be stagnant. This is the third edition of the beauty pageant, and we are planning to host more,” said Mbuli.

Ekurhuleni MMC of Community Services, Bridget Thusi, is delighted they are celebrating the elderly, because many older persons are neglected in the community.

“The elderly deserve to be appreciated and honoured because they play important roles in the community. I brought a donation today to appreciate them as the people we look up to,” explained Thusi.

She mentioned she would continue supporting initiatives catering for the elderly.

“These initiatives help the elderly to become stress-free, and I will advocate hosting these events in various areas around Ekurhuleni.”

Thusi congratulated the 15 women who participated in the contest.