New queen ready to take the world by storm

MBOMBELA – Miss Mpumalanga is not just a competition, it is a night where the dreams of a young, beautiful, confident and intelligent woman becomes a reality.
For the past five years Mzimari Productions, the organiser of the prestigious event, has opened doors for young women, proving they are capable of leaving a legacy and benefiting youth in the province.

The current queen, Elaine Mkhabela, told Mpumalanga News that being crowned does exactly that.
“So far I am enjoying my journey. My life has changed. Being Miss Mpumalanga has given me the opportunity to discover myself and has helped me get out of my comfort zone. I was a reserved person, but I have learned to adapt to a lot of things quickly. My confidence has grown tremendously and I can now speak in public, which was something that was very difficult for me.

“I’ve grown to such an extent that I am able to use my image to assist those who are in need,” she said.
According to Mkhabela, reaching out to the youth is one of the most gratifying things in her life. “Touching the lives of young people, especially girls, puts a smile on my face because there are so many challenges that affect them and hinder their progress. Not so long ago, I was motivating pupils at John Mdluli Primary School in Mataffin, and I was so moved by the positive response I received in my inbox on Facebook. I can confess, at this point in time such interactions leave me with memories that I will cherish forever,” she explained.

Besides being the reigning queen and an ambassador for the Mpumalanga Gambling Board, Mkhabela still has big dreams for her future.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime, to empower myself. After my reign, I plan on furthering my studies in environmental and biological science at Witwatersrand University. I also intend on participating in other pageants, like Miss South Africa,” she said.

She advised young people not to take short-cuts in life, and rather to persevere and work hard.
“All I can say to my sisters out there, let your education be your own blesser. I believe that each of us were born with the mental capacity to do our own thing in life. Don’t limit yourself, always be an inspiration to your peers,” concluded Mkhabela.