Indulging in the glamourous life of beauty pageants and fashion modelling is what the young KaBokweni-based model, Nobuhle Mpangane, is set on doing.

Her down-to-earth spirit is proof why she was Miss KaBokweni Plaza 2021 and shows that she might keep bagging more titles and crowns. “Entering Miss KaBokweni Plaza gave me a platform to become the model I dream to be. It opened my eyes to some things, as I thought pageants were just about beauty and glamour. It comes with responsibility and the ability to interact well with people,” Mpangane said.

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Though she has always had the confidence to carry her petite figure, she believes she lacked confidence in some key areas, such as public speaking. “Since that crowning, I can speak in public confidently and I am ready to share it with the world. I have also learnt to be kind and humble when I interact with people. I am slowly gaining people skills, which are important to have as a model,” she said.

The 20-year-old is one of the top 11 finalists for Miss Akasia South Africa. “I am learning a lot in this competition. It has allowed me to find the time to give back to my community. If I am not volunteering at a non-profit organisation, I am interacting with my peers to empower ourselves.”

Mpangane said she does not do community work because it is a requirement when entering pageants, but does it for fulfillment. She is passionate about education and is always encouraging her peers to further their studies.

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“From time to time, I work with a local organisation to help the youth, especially those who have completed Grade 12 and wish to further their studies, to apply to institutions to further their education. We also help them by continuously checking their application statuses and look out for bursary opportunities on their behalf,” she explained.

She recently graduated with a diploma in public relations and management at Brooklyn City College. She wishes to run her own organisation that will fund disadvantaged youth to further their education.