Learner of PHSG crowned as Miss Teen Universe SA

Ntando Sgudla, a grade 12 learner at Pretoria High School for Girls, was crowned Miss Teen Universe South Africa 2021 recently.

Later this year, she will be representing her country in Dubai alongside the winners from other countries.

Sgudla told Rekord she was not expecting her name to be called to take the crown home.

“It was a typical Miss Congeniality scene.

“I burst out in tears, however, it was tears of joy,” she said.

Ahead of the finale, the participants had to face the judges for an interview.

Sgudla, also a prefect of Girls High for social responsibility committee said that she had to tell the judges more about herself as well as her advocacy.

“It is a trick question, but what they were looking for, is a girl to tell them who you are and what you stand for.

“I also spoke about gender-based violence and what the current solutions to this topic can be,” Sgudla said.

“We need to teach boys about respect and to tell girls what their rights are.

“My sister and I led a march of young girls to the Union Buildings and handed over a memorandum of demands – one of it being to make the sexual offenders list public.

“Us teens were able to make an impact.”

The 17-year-old has only entered three pageants before, her first being Miss SA Teen ambassador in 2018.

Her second competition was the Miss Teen Commonwealth South Africa where she was crowned the second princess.

“I was a complete amateur. It was quite intimidating to compete against girls who have done modelling before.

“I was a bit discouraged not to have won the competition,” she said.

Her mother told her after the competition: “Don’t give up, bounce back and keep your head high”.

In the first week of October 2020, they announced the top-20 finalists.

“We had to raise sponsorships and do multiple charities.

“I did an outreach in Eersterust where every single Friday we went to play with the children, give them a meal, teach them a few games and physically get them going,” she said.

“I also did a Back to school drive where I collected funds to give back to the children in Bronkhorstspruit. They didn’t have school clothes and walked to school barefoot – even in winter.

“It made me realise how fortunate I am to wear a uniform to school every day,” she added.

During the final, she wore huge heels and prayed to God just not to fall.

“I knew I needed to blow the judges away.

“I was so proud of myself, my family was in the crowd and they cheered incessantly.”

Her favourite dress of the competition was one with a cape at the back.

“My house colours, Athlone, are red and I wanted to represent my house. I wanted it to sparkle and to be elegant,” she explained.

“It was an amazing experience and I am so proud of myself.

“I was joyful, and it felt so unreal. Someone had to pinch me just for reality to kick in.

“I need to up my game for Dubai. I need to know what is going on, not only in my country but in world news.”

Her favourite subject is geography.

“I love reading about our environment.”

Since the age of nine years old, she has never missed the crowing of Miss South Africa.

Current Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi is one of Sgudla’s greatest inspirations.

“She was the first Miss Universe to win with natural hair.

“She was herself and she stayed true to herself.”

After matric, Sgudla plans to enrol at the University of Pretoria where she wants to study to become a town planner.

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