What started as a pageant has grown into so much more. An initiative aimed at empowering young people, developing future leaders and giving back to the community.

The Mr & Miss Aganang FM 2026 Pageant was successfully held on September 5 at the Snowflake Venue in Potchefstroom, bringing together 41 finalists across nine categories, proud families, schools, sponsors and members of the community.

Aganang FM has been serving Potchefstroom and the surrounding areas in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District since April 13, 2009. As a community radio station licensed by ICASA, its mandate goes beyond broadcasting, with a strong focus on education, awareness and addressing socio-economic challenges through community upliftment projects.

The Miss Aganang FM Pageant was previously held successfully in 2018 and 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic brought the initiative to a halt. This year, the pageant made a much-anticipated comeback under the leadership of JannyDjan Events, with the endorsement of the North West Department of Education and the support of 16 schools.

For the first time, male categories were also included, making the event even more inclusive.

According to Janet Potgieter, CEO and founder of JannyDjan, the pageant is about far more than crowns and titles.

“We want to cultivate young people who understand that being an ambassador comes with responsibility. This initiative is about leadership, discipline, social responsibility and making a meaningful difference in the communities they come from,” says Potgieter.

The contestants participated in pageant training and workshops, while the finalists received their finalist sashes during a special sashing ceremony at Sky Bar.

On the morning of the crowning event, all 41 finalists were interviewed by an esteemed panel of judges before taking to the stage later that afternoon.

The judging panel consisted of Tiisetso Motingwe, Aganang FM presenter and Miss Aganang FM Junior 2018; Semakaleng Marumo, Aganang FM broadcaster, model and brand ambassador; Stephan Venter, renowned make-up and performing artist, model and presenter; Elizna Pretorius, Miss Face of Potchefstroom 2026; and Philile Ziyane, International Junior Miss South Africa 1st Princess and North West Ambassador 2026.

The event was hosted by radio and television personality Bokamoso Mothibedi.

The newly crowned 2026 winners will serve as Aganang FM ambassadors and will participate in various community projects alongside the station.

The initiative also extended its focus to schools, with 16 School Ambassadors being crowned. These ambassadors will collaborate with Retsa Tsela on environmental projects within their respective schools.

The event also recognised the important role played by schools and educators, with awards presented for Best Supporting School and Best Supporting Teacher. School representatives attended the event to support their learners and each received an appreciation certificate.

More than 200 guests attended the event, including sponsors, representatives from the North West Department of Education, Mrs A. Holtzhausen and Mr M. M. Mafunda, as well as members of the Aganang FM Board.

With its focus firmly on developing confident, responsible and community-minded young people, Mr & Miss Aganang FM is proving that a pageant can be about much more than beauty.

It can be about purpose, leadership and creating a generation of young people who are ready to make a difference.

Entries for Mr & Miss Aganang FM 2027 will open early next year.