Local lass is Commonwealth pageant finalist

A Tembisa woman has qualified as a Miss Commonwealth South Africa finalist for 2016.

As a prerequisite of the pageant, Ntando Ngqase has to raise funds for a charitable cause.

The 25-year-old said she is appealing to local businesses and the Tembisa community to assist in raising the funds.The 25-year-old said she is appealing to local businesses and the Tembisa community to assist in raising the funds.

Ntando said the funds raised will help orphaned children and those who are in dire need.

Her appearance on a pageant stage was when she entered for the Miss Tembisa 2013 competition, which she would later win.

The former Tembisa High student said when she was told she would be in the Miss Tembisa finals she was excited.

“I was overwhelmed and asking myself a lot of questions. It was my first time on stage, my family was there and personalities of the industry were there. I was nervous,” said Ntando.

She said the contestants were welcoming and she became confident of winning because they made her feel calm.

At the end of the Miss Tembisa 2013 pageant she said the finalists names in the top 6 were announced and her name was the first to be called.

Ntando, a machanical engineering graduate, said when winners were called out her name was not in the three crowned contestants but the crowed was screaming out her name.

“When my name was announced as the queen of Miss Tembisa 2013 I burst into tears. That was the beginning of my journey,” said Ntando.

She has also entered the Miss Revonia, Miss Gauteng and Miss Tourism Universe South Africa 2016 pageants. She was a Miss Earth South Africa Regional semi-finalist for 2016.

“I was told at primary school that I don’t have the looks to be in a beauty pageant and I went on to be Miss Tembisa 2013,” she said.

She said she has learn that pageants are not reliant on beauty but it is all about self confidence and working hard towards the goals that one wants to achieve.

Ntando is currently a third year law student and is hoping to be Miss South Africa one day.

“I don’t take criticism negatively but I take it as a motivation,” she said.

Miss Ngqase said she is a woman who believes in working hard academically.

“I wanted to be the first in my family to go to varsity and voila, I am in varsity doing my final year,” she said.

She advised young girls to not give up.

“You are capable beyond what people’s expectations are of you.”

For those who are willing to help Ntando in raising funds for a charitable cause, contact her on 076 373 9873 or 071 445 7578.