Mpinga guns for Empress South Africa pageant title

Empress South Africa semi-finalist, Promise Mpinga, looks poised to make history by becoming the first Tembisan to be crowned ‘the fairest of them all’.

The 23-year-old Mpinga, from Liliba Section, still does not believe her eyes she is really in the semi-finals of this glamorous beauty event.

“As a little girl growing up in the township, I used to model around the house, dreaming of becoming Miss South Africa, and even practice my winning speech in front of the mirror. It has always been my goal to participate in such a beauty event.

“A part of me still doesn’t believe it, but again another part of me knows this is where I am supposed to be,” she says.

Empress South Africa pageant is reputed to be the first and largest online beauty contest in the world. The contest is made up of three levels – contestants, semi-finalists and finalists. The contestants need to earn points to proceed to the top levels.

This contest will have nine provincial winners or queens and royal princesses, from which a winner will be selected at the pageant’s grand finale and crowned Empress SA.

The grand finale will be held at the Sun Coast Casino in Durban on December 16.

Mpinga, who has reached the semi-final stage, is involved in a number of community uplifting programmes, such as donating clothes to the Ziyazigabisa Home of Hope, and cleaning up and cooking for the senior citizens at the Tembisa Old Age Home.

“The journey so far has prepared me to be a worthy ambassador for peace and goodwill, in case I am crowned the winner. The title will give me confidence and a belief that I can do anything if I put my mind to it,” she explains determinedly.

The community can show support by voting for her. To vote simply send the letters, Promise Mpinga to 35334.