Potchefstroom’s young aspiring models had the chance to step onto the runway while learning valuable life lessons during a collaboration between Face of Potchefstroom North West, Mr & Miss Aganang FM and the Retsa Tsela Annual Fundraising Event.

The event, held on Saturday, July 18, formed part of Retsa Tsela’s annual fundraiser, which aims to bring the community together while promoting service, collaboration and a cleaner, safer environment.

Local pageant queens and kings joined the initiative to give the youth of Potchefstroom a real runway experience while encouraging them to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams. Beyond showcasing their modelling skills, the titleholders shared their personal journeys, life mottos and words of encouragement with those in attendance, while also supporting Retsa Tsela’s mission to create a cleaner and safer community.

Joining them were the current Mr & Miss Aganang FM semi-finalists, many of whom walked a runway in front of a crowd for the very first time. The pageant, which returns this year after it was last hosted in 2019, has expanded to include male categories and is supported by the North West Department of Education.

The crowning ceremony is scheduled to take place on September 5 at Snowflake Venue. In addition to crowning the overall winners, school ambassadors from the 22 participating schools will also be appointed. These ambassadors will work alongside Retsa Tsela throughout their year of reign to continue promoting environmental awareness and community pride.

Leading the semi-finalists was Miss Pre-Teen Aganang FM 2019, Thandiswa Matolong. Aganang FM is a registered community radio station based in Ikageng.

The excitement extended beyond the contestants as members of the public, especially children, were invited to experience the thrill of walking the runway themselves. The activity was met with enthusiastic cheers and plenty of smiles, creating one of the highlights of the day.

According to the organisers of Face of Potchefstroom North West and Mr & Miss Aganang FM, JannyDjan Events’ Marinet and Janet Potgieter, the partnership with Peterson Sebati and the Retsa Tsela team is about much more than pageantry.

They said they are proud of the work being done by Retsa Tsela and look forward to building a long-term partnership that not only helps create a cleaner and safer Potchefstroom, but also empowers young people by showing them that with hard work, determination and perseverance, anything is possible.

The collaboration stemmed from an invitation by Retsa Tsela founder and director Peterson Sebati, who invited Face of Potchefstroom to be part of the annual fundraising event. The vision was to showcase organisations that are making a positive impact in the community while giving children the opportunity to experience the world of modelling and pageantry in a fun, confidence-building environment.

Throughout the day, visitors also enjoyed a variety of sporting activities, including an influencers’ sports match, basketball competitions, community games, family entertainment and networking opportunities with local organisations and businesses, all while celebrating the young people who continue to make a positive difference in Potchefstroom.