Pageant held in the spirit of the late Winnie Mandela

Palesa Mailula was crowned second princess at the Miss Teen Face of Winnie Mandela pageant at the Winnie Mandela Old Clinic on October 26.

It was the second annual pageant held in the spirit of Winnie Mandela.

Palesa Mailula, the president of the Zikikeni Secondary School representative council of learners (RCL), took the title in the Teens division.

She said it’s not easy being a female leader of the RCL, but nothing will stop her from meeting her responsibilities.

The young star will now continue to focus on her education and community-based initiatives such as the We Care Foundation.

“On July 19 we came up with an idea to celebrate Mandela Day with children of Tembisa Welfare. We donated clothes, toys and books and performed acts of poetry, dance and music about Madiba. We called our campaign 67 Steps to Legendary,” said Mailula.

The We Care Foundation is a life-oriented organisation which she started in her community along with her friends and they have opened a second branch.

“Now we have another branch at Eqinisweni Secondary School, being led by the founder of YLO, which started in September 2017. What we do is to help the youth to gain more confidence in themselves and encourage them to participate in community work and cultural and sports programmes,” explained Mailula.

She said winning the second-princess title was a great moment as it was her first pageant entry.

Mailula said modelling was always on her wish list, but she couldn’t take it up due to a lack of skills and knowledge, as well as her family obligations. However, she found someone who could teach her how to model.

“Tebatso Mojela, the Miss Teen Queen of Winnie Mandela 2018, taught me how to model. The privilege to be taught by her was God created.”

“Miss face of Winnie Mandela 2019 was a long and challenging journey. I never thought I would make it as I was a beginner, but truly my hard work earned me the crown of second princess 2019,” added Mailula.

“After winning the award I felt inspired and empowered. I connected with other models using my strength, my character and following my passion. From now on I am ready to rock the pageants in my locality,” said a confident Mailula.

“After matric I want to open my own modelling agency that will equip children from the ages of seven to 20 with the basics of modelling.

“I would like the youth to participate in leadership programmes because they teach more about the principles of how to be a leader and be disciplined,” said Mailula.