Two confident young girls are putting their best feet forward after achieving success in the Miss Township South Africa national competition.

Tumisho Sebolayi (17) from Dassierand and Katleho Motswasele (9) from Ikageng made it a double triumph for Potchefstroom, with Tumisho being crowned Miss Township South Africa Teen Queen 2026 and Katleho taking the Little Miss Township title for 2026. Both girls represent ACE Models in Potchefstroom.

“Being a young girl from the North West and winning this national title has taught me that where you come from does not limit where you can go. I hope my journey will inspire other young people, especially girls from Klerksdorp, Potchefstroom and across the North West, to be courageous, believe in themselves and never allow fear or their background to stop them from following their dreams,” says Tumisho.

Katleho adds that winning the competition means the world to her.

“I want to inspire other young girls. It’s also an opportunity to make new friends. My dream one day is to win the Miss SA competition.”

What makes these girls stand out is the commitment with which they serve their communities through various initiatives aimed at making a positive difference in people’s lives. For both Tumisho and Katleho, it is about giving back and inspiring a generation.

“Some of my community work included supporting vulnerable families, donating clothing and other essential items, taking part in sanitary pad drives, supporting people with disabilities and participating in other community upliftment initiatives,” explains Tumisho.

Two people who have supported them throughout their journeys are their mothers, who beam with pride at their daughters’ success. Beauty, Katleho’s mother, and Mary, Tumisho’s mother, both agree that pageantry has helped build their children’s self-confidence and positively shaped their identities.

“Katleho is all smiles, and as a mom, that makes me happy. She needed braces for her teeth, and through pageantry, we realised that she had previously been self-conscious about her smile. She was also bullied at school, but entering competitions has boosted her confidence and self-acceptance,” says Beauty.

“My daughter’s self-confidence has grown, as has her heart for giving. We are a family of givers, and these competitions just enhance her giving nature,” adds Mary.

Tumisho says she is grateful to everyone who supported her throughout her journey, including her family, the Miss Township South Africa organisers and her community.

“As Miss Township South Africa Teen Queen, I hope to use my platform to encourage young people to believe in themselves, treat others with kindness and make a positive difference wherever they can.”

The public can follow Tumisho (@t.sebolayi) and Katleho (@Katleho_Motswasele) on Instagram.