At 27 years old, Norkem Park resident Caitlin Shantell Lubisi is a teacher, model, pageant contestant, and advocate for special needs learners.

A woman of faith, she proudly declares, “Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour.”

Beyond her professional life, Lubisi is a devoted Kaizer Chiefs supporter, a lover of pageantry, and someone with a unique taste in music and entertainment.

Born and raised in Rolle D Wisani, a village in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, Lubisi credits her upbringing for shaping the woman she is today.

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“What I love most about my community is the sense of togetherness,” she said. “I was raised by my grandmother, Linah Dlamini, who was a community leader. She believed that helping others was a way of helping ourselves.”

Lubisi recalls how community members would work together to repair damaged roads using bags of sand and bricks.

“My grandmother would always say, ‘We also drive here, so it needs to be in good condition.’ That planted the seed in me to serve and help others.”

Her family affectionately calls her “Sister Boss,” a nickname she earned as the first granddaughter in the family.

“They describe me as someone who knows what she wants and how she wants it,” said Lubisi. “My friends see me as a dreamer who doesn’t allow circumstances to affect her dreams.”

As a teacher at Thembinkosi LSEN School, Lubisi is passionate about making a difference in the lives of learners.

She is also responsible for managing the social media account of the He Is Risen Crossover Festival, where she promotes local and national gospel artists.

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Looking to the future, Caitlin has ambitious goals.

“I want to continue my studies by pursuing my honours degree, and I aim to start a foundation that creates opportunities for special needs learners,” she said.

Her modelling journey began during her matric dance when she walked the red carpet and discovered a passion she never knew she had.

“That night, I knew I wanted to be a model,” she said.

Later that year, she entered her first pageant, Miss Delacasa, and finished in the Top 5. The following year, she competed in Miss Winter and was crowned First Princess.

After moving to Thembisa to further her studies, she participated in local fashion shows before entering Miss Thembisa, where she placed as First Princess.

After taking a break from pageantry, Caitlin challenged herself by entering Miss South Africa and later became a finalist in Miss Grand South Africa, which is currently her main focus.

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“I loved how modelling made me feel from the very first time I tried it,” she said.

“It encouraged me to believe that I could pursue it as a career or even as a side profession.”

Throughout her journey, Lubisi has learned valuable life lessons.

“Sometimes we have dreams and goals, and there will be challenges that stand against them,” she said.

“But I’ve learned that it is important to push through regardless of what comes your way.”

Her support system has played a major role in helping her succeed.

“My family has been my biggest supporter. My pageant coach and my colleagues at Thembinkosi LSEN School have also been incredibly supportive.”

Modelling has also helped strengthen her confidence.

“I’ve always been confident, but modelling boosted my confidence even more. You realise how much you’re capable of when you can stand in front of people and talk about yourself and your advocacy without fear.”

One of the biggest challenges she has faced is balancing work commitments with pageant responsibilities while also finding platforms to share her story.

“I make sure to connect with people who understand my vision and can help me share my story with others.”

For Lubisi, self-confidence begins with self-awareness.

“Self-confidence is knowledge of self. Know who you are, know your capabilities, and believe in your ability to achieve anything you put your mind to.”

She believes confidence grows through self-acceptance, positive self-talk, and presenting yourself with pride.

When motivation becomes difficult, Lubisi reminds herself of her purpose.

“I believe I’m not meant to start something and not finish it. When I feel low, I remind myself why I started, and that motivates me to push harder.”

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One of her strongest passions is advocating for differently-abled individuals and creating opportunities for them after school.

“My mission is to raise awareness and seek opportunities for differently-abled individuals,” she says.

“We have showcased and sold products made by learners at the Bushbuckridge Street Market to show communities that they can be trained, employed, and empowered to make a sustainable living.”

She believes representation is essential in society.

“When people see someone they know on television, in newspapers, or on social media, it helps them believe that they can achieve those things too. Representation validates people’s identities and makes them feel seen and heard.”

Lubisi hopes her journey inspires others to become active contributors to their communities.

“I want people to be the change they want to see. Stand in the gap for those who cannot do it themselves. Let your light shine so that those who are in darkness can find their path.”

Her personal style reflects her personality.”My style is polished, versatile and confidently feminine,” she says. “Fashion is a way of self-expression for me.”

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She credits her father for influencing her love for fashion.

“My daddy is a fashionable man, and he shaped how I view fashion and how I dress for different occasions.”

One of her proudest moments was her first photoshoot after being announced as a Miss Grand South Africa finalist.

“I saw that photoshoot as my introduction, so I made sure everything looked great and that the pictures were outstanding.”

Looking ahead, Lubisi sees herself achieving both academic and professional success.

“In five years, I will have completed my Honours degree, advanced in my career, grown my modelling career, and hopefully be running a pageant of my own while continuing to create opportunities for differently-abled individuals.”

Her immediate goal is clear.

“Becoming Miss Grand South Africa is the dream I am currently pursuing while building my brand.”

She also hopes to compete in Miss South Africa and explore opportunities in sports presenting, combining her love for modelling and football.

For Lubisi, success is about growth and achievement.

“Success means achieving the goals I set for myself and learning new skills that help me become a better person.”

And when she thinks about the legacy she wants to leave behind, her answer is simple:

“I want to be known as someone who achieved everything she set out to do and made a real difference in the lives of the people she wanted to help.”