Thembisa’s activist and businessman champions youth talent

My name is Philly Mhlongo, a businessman and activist born and raised in Thembisa.

This township has shaped who I am.

Thembisa is a vibrant, welcoming place that thrives on energy, good vibes and beautiful music.

It’s a place where people come together, and that sense of unity is what makes it special.

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What I love most about Thembisa is its abundance of talent. Whether in sports, entertainment or politics, Thembisa is a powerful force in the national landscape, driven by heart and hustle.

At the core of it all is a deep-rooted spirit of ubuntu.

When it comes to fun, Thembisa never disappoints; alive with energy and passion for everything from soccer and pageants to great food.

This township changed my life. It gave me the chance to uplift others, and one of the most pivotal moments came in 1999 when I founded the Miss Tembisa pageant.

My passion for youth development grew from watching young talent shine, especially during school holiday soccer tournaments.
Thembisa always shows up for its own when there’s soccer, and the community comes out in full support.

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Along the way, I had the opportunity to work at the SABC in Auckland Park, which was partnering with Miss South Africa at the time.

I took that experience back home, encouraging Miss Tembisa participants to enter Miss South Africa, Miss Jam Alley and Miss Sun Babe, a Sunday newspaper pageant.

Many went on to win national titles and gain recognition far beyond our township.

Today, countless young women from Thembisa are thriving because of Miss Tembisa.

Thembisa, like many communities, faces challenges, one of the biggest being youth unemployment. I believe the solution is empowering young people not just to find jobs but to start and own businesses.

With financial support from the government, youth can become job creators, not just job seekers.

Many people from Thembisa inspire me, including Pearl Modiadie, Happy Mohlala and Lebogang Mashangoane, who are blazing their own trails.

On the men’s side, I’ve been inspired and mentored by Tsepo Monaledi, Kenny Mametsa and the late John Gwangwa.

If there’s one thing I’d love to see return, it’s Thembisa Radio FM and even a local TV station. Our stories, voices and music deserve a platform right here at home.

The best advice I ever received came when I felt like giving up. I couldn’t secure sponsorship for Miss Tembisa and considered shutting it down. But my mentor, Mr Monaledi, encouraged me to keep going. He promised to sponsor it, and he did.

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Today, the Miss Tembisa pageant continues to open doors for youth in our community.

Home sweet home; that’s what Thembisa will always be to me.

As a Thembisan, I also carry the memories of our political struggles. During the riots, we faced police violence, tear gas, rubber bullets and arrests. We lost many friends and comrades.

I attended Boutumelong Secondary School before moving to boarding school.

After completing high school, I studied business management at Boston College.

My time at SABC, where I helped launch Jam Alley, was another turning point, marking the start of many contributions to youth development and entertainment in Thembisa.