Thembisa High School learners witnessed the crowing of their fellow mates as the king and queen of Thembisa High School last weekend.
Ntokozo Tshabalala and Thandolwethu Khumalo respectively earned the crown of king and queen of the school during the school pageant. This was in celebration of Valentine Day on Friday.
The 18-year-old Thembisa High king from Emkhathini Section is in Grade 11.
Speaking to Thembisan, he said he planned to train to become a lawyer after finishing his studies. He planned to enrol at the University of South Africa (Unisa).
He said the competition helped him to build confidence, and to improve eye contact as the contest demands that they have a good eye contact with the judges and the crowd.
“This competition has helped me to become disciplined. As a king, I now understand I can’t do as I wish, and have to lead by example and be neatly and properly dressed at all times.
“I have to lead by example in class, and always do my work diligently while encouraging others to do the same. I believe I have to begin in my class, and let the energy flow to the rest of my school mates,” he said.
Tshabalala is excited to be declared the winner. He said the victory came as a surprise as he did not expect to win.
“I was on cloud nine when they called my name. The competition was stiff. I was nervous on stage,” said Tshabalala.
Khumalo, the newly-crowned 15-year-old queen, shared her thoughts why she took part in the pageant.
Now in Grade 10, and residing in Ivory Park, she said competing has helped her gain confidence and experience.
“I competed because I wanted to set an example of leadership and courage, and to prove I can be a woman I choose to be,” said Khumalo.
She complained about the rising rate of teenage pregnancy, and that the society needed to show leadership in curbing its prevalence.
“Teenage pregnancy is on the rise and has been a subject of discussion for many years at schools, churches and community meetings, but to deal with the problem we need leadership.
“We have to give birth to good future leaders, but we need the courage and self-discipline to pass down the message to our peers,” Khumalo said.
She said she was glad to be crowned the queen, and aimed to set a good example for her Grade 10 mates.
“We are going to tackle the issues of equality, teenage pregnancy, leadership and self-love. My other goal is to compete for the Miss Teen SA,”
Khumalo has set her eyes on studying logistics after finishing matric. Additionally, she plans to continue with community outreach work.
Khumalo and Tshabalala were awarded stationery packages, goodies bags and cosmetics for being the winners.
