Ngobeni (16) from Ivory Park looks forward to competition

Amukelani Ngobeni from Winnie Mandela is looking forward to entering the Miss Regal International Teen South Africa competition early next year.

The 16-year-old is a former Reagile Primary School learner and is entering Grade 12 at Ivory Park Secondary School in 2020.

Ngobeni is the third child in a family of four siblings. Her interest in modelling was sparked when she watched Victoria Secret fashion shows on TV.

In 2015 she was approached by Lehlogonolo Ramphisa, who is the founder of the Miss Gorgeous beauty pageant, and her neighbour Pertunia Phakula. It was not long before she was crowned Miss Gorgeous queen.

“With the first title of Miss Gorgeous bagged in 2015, I knew I had the strength and potential to pursue it further.

“In 2017, I was crowned the first junior princess at the Miss Ivory Park Secondary School pageant.

“I have always wanted to win and lead, so I tried entering the competition again the following year and I was crowned the queen of Miss Ivory Park Secondary School.

“Later that year I also became Miss Ivory Park Secondary School Miss Uniform ambassador and Miss Academics in the Miss Uniform pageant.”

In 2018 she also joined Miss Teen International South Africa. She was one of the finalists, but she had to withdraw from the competition due to financial difficulties.

“I am a go-getter. When I fall I pick myself up, dust myself off and get going. That is why in 2019 I joined other pageants because of their value and status and what they could bring out in each participant,” said Ngobeni.

“In 2019 I proudly hold two titles, which are Miss Face of Winnie Mandela 2019/2020 first princess (teen category) and Miss Ivory Park Refined second princess.”

The young star said her aim is to set a good example to young women to be independent and strong, no matter their background.

“Another reason I want to join Miss Regal International Teen South Africa is that it focuses on grooming young people to be independent. It is sad to see young women depending on men for almost everything.

“We live in a world where women are as strong and equal as men. After matric I would like to study chemical engineering at Wits or UCT, to prove to the world that women can take on any career they wish to.”

Ngobeni thanked everybody who supported her in her journey, especially her family and her mentor, Mahlogonolo Phasha, who is a pageant star in her own right and was recently crowned Miss Philly’s Games second princess.

“If it weren’t for my mother, Roda Ngobeni, I would never have achieved as much as I have. Thanks to her support as a single mother, I get to reach my goals,” said Ngobeni.