Student crowned first ever Miss Nkomazi PWD

TONGA – The beauty of women with disabilities was celebrated during the first-ever Miss Nkomazi PWD (people with disabilities) at the local hospital on Friday.

The event was organised as part of the National Disability Rights Awareness Month, which takes place annually from November 3 to December 3. It was mostly attended by people with disabilities and supported by the social development and health departments, Boxer Superstore and the local taxi association. Nkomazi’s executive mayor, Thulisile Khoza, and other representatives from the municipality were present at the event.

The 17 participants comprised people with various disabilities such as paraplegics, hemiplegics, and those who are partially blind, among others.

The contestants aimed to prove that being disabled should not prevent you from having fun.

Lindiwe Thobela, the organiser of the event, hoped to raise awareness and encourage people. “We sought a better way to entertain ourselves and remind people that we still exist, to encourage each person not to hide their beauty by staying indoors. We selected people with confidence, who are not ashamed of their disability.”

After showcasing their talent to the judges including Miss SA Junior Teen finalist, Ntokozo Bhiya, the winners were crowned. Khulile Maziya was second princess and Dumisile Buthelezi was named the first princess.

Gugu Khoza, a 25-year-old office administration student from Mgobodzi, was crowned the winner.

Khoza stated that she hoped to teach others that a disability is not a death sentence. “I feel happy about winning the competition because it shows that even though we are disabled there is nothing we cannot do. It made all of the contestants feel special and important.”

Khoza urged people tp accept themselves as they are and consider themselves a blessing and not a curse to the family.

“Get out and find someone who can assist you. I don’t have parents, I was raised by my grandmother and helped by my community. If you isolate yourself you won’t learn anything about life,” she added.

The mayor also addressed the crowd and stated that their dream to have disabled people come and showcase their beauty has come true.

“There are people who make jokes by imitating those who are disabled. Others pretend to be disabled to commit crime and to make money. Actors play the roles of disabled characters on TV and make money. It is time for us to put our foot down. If they want to feature a disabled person in a story, they should get a disabled person to play the role. Someone who understands how it is to be disabled,” she said.

She concluded with the hope that more municipalities would host a beauty pageant for men and women with disabilities next year.