Miss Tembisa crowns 2025/26 queen as pageant celebrates year of empowerment

The Miss Tembisa Pageant crowned its new queen and princesses for the 2025/26 term on November 8.

As the event concludes for the year, the Miss Tembisa organisation thanked the sponsors who made the pageant possible.

Pageant management said they are proud of the journey shared with everyone involved, from the organising team and judges to the contestants, community members and sponsors.

They emphasised that the programme is more than a beauty competition, noting that it aims to empower young women, strengthen community relationships and foster a culture of growth and compassion.

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This year’s journey began in February with auditions and continued through months of grooming, development workshops and community engagements.

Throughout the year, the pageant also drove several impactful initiatives in Thembisa. These included:

• A #BookDrive in partnership with Literacy Leap to collect reading materials for the new library at Mayibuye Primary School;
• A #MandelaDay clean-up campaign;
• A #WomenEmpowerment modelling workshop;
• #Well-being bootcamps and mental health awareness sessions, with this year’s bootcamp hosted at Winnie Mandela Primary School.

The finalists were encouraged to embark on their own advocacy and community work projects based on the causes they champion.

Miss Tembisa PR and marketing co-ordinator, Boitumelo Makaepea, reflected on the year, “The Miss Tembisa Pageant deems this year as one of the toughest, but we are proud to have had such a tremendous group of contestants, who embodied the pillars of pageantry, empowerment and compassion. We commend them for their commitment and their dedication to representing the brand in the community.

“The pageant is ready to grow beyond what it is and increase its presence in the community. We hope the community will encourage more young girls to enter the next edition.”

She added that the planning leading up to the Miss Tembisa and Miss Teen Tembisa 2025 finales was challenging and inspiring.

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“Each year, this pageant continues to grow and reach new heights, a testament to our commitment to empowering young girls in Thembisa. It has been incredible to see contestants step up, engage with their communities and make a difference. Witnessing their transformation, from the first day to the final stage, is remarkable.

“For us as an organisation, this platform represents more than beauty and titles; it embodies purpose, growth and transformation. We have seen firsthand how it changes lives, even if it’s just one girl at a time, and that impact fuels our passion.

“To keep making a meaningful difference, we call on sponsors, stakeholders, community leaders and the people of Thembisa to support our mission. Together, we can inspire the youth to believe in themselves, realise their potential and rise as the next generation of confident and impactful leaders.”