Former beauty queen graduates
"Education has always been her number-one love as it is the family's language. She is no celebrity at home, but a child who still does her chores like any child.
MBOMBELA – Beauty and brains paid off for former beauty queen, Ntandoyenkosi Kunene who celebrated her educational achievement after she obtained her BA degree from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Ntandoyenkosi never abandoned her dream of becoming an educationist even when she entered the popularity stakes by becoming Miss Mpumalanga 2013 in her fourth year of tertiary studies.
She is a celebrity who has left her mark in the province as the inaugural Zazi – Know your Strength HIV/Aids campaign provincial ambassador.
No sooner had her reign come to an end, then she was back to the books to complete her degree. She is currently doing her honours which she plans to complete on time.
During her celebratory dinner her mother Baby Kunene said, “I’ve always taken an active interest in her career. As soon as she registered, I kept her student number and regularly called the university to find out about her progress and attendance.
“Education has always been her number-one love as it is the family’s language. She is no celebrity at home, but a child who still does her chores like any child. For her success, I’d like to thank Mzimari Productions for all the good work its done.”
Ntandoyenkosi was also fortunate to be showered with praise by provincial ANC Youth League chairperson, Desmond Moela.
“On behalf of the Youth League, I’d like to thank the Kunene family for producing such a gem and Mzimari Productions for moulding her, as she could be destined to become minister of education.
“As we officially end Youth Month, we are celebrating your achievement in education. We need educationists in this country as it is constantly undergoing various transformations, we need such young minds to be at the forefront of implementing the transformations in the system.
“Ntandoyenkosi will build the nation and we expect the best from you. We are very proud of you as the youth league, you never stuck to being a celebrity, but have taken education seriously, all thanks to Mzimari Productions which plays a pivotal role in grooming young women to be worthy members of our society.
“Please educate the nation and carry on the discipline your parents have instilled in you. Play your part, but don’t forget to pray as God is your will and power,”
he said.
Mzimari Productions’ CEO, Gugu Nyarenda said, “I thank the Kunenes and am happy to meet the entire family and your friends. The friends who you keep will determine who you are in life.
“The love I have for young women is phenomenal and it is the love I have for their future. If you fail Ntandoyenkosi, we will all have failed. The relationships you’ve kept are a blessing, but always love and trust your mother, as she will never let you down.
“I always encourage my queens to take their mothers along on their Cape Town trips to get the best advice. Thank God they are all good. Education is the only way out of poverty.
“Let’s encourage young girls to go to school as I’m doing. Ntandoyenkosi, God will always direct your destiny and the passion you have for education, is unsurpassed. It is your calling, go for it.”
Ntandoyenkosi was showered with gifts by the select distinguished guests in attendance.
She said, “Thank you everybody and I will carry this baton to its finality and educate the nation.
“I’m really flattered by your gestures, they don’t go unnoticed. I will not disappoint you as this is my calling.”
