At just 16 years old, Katlego Medupe is proving that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact.

With her unwavering discipline, compassion, and sense of purpose, these qualities recently earned her the title of Miss Curro Thatchfield 2026.

The Grade 10 learner from Southdowns in Irene, Centurion, shared with Rekord that her life extends far beyond the pageant stage.

Katlego describes herself as a people-oriented individual who values kindness, empathy, and making others feel seen.

Alongside her school commitments, she is an accomplished dancer at the Eunice Marais School of Dance, where she has been honing her craft since the age of eight.

Her dance journey has already taken her to international stages, earning her two world titles: one in Poland in 2022 and another in North Macedonia in 2024.

Despite balancing academics, dance, and other extracurricular activities, Katlego says she strives to stay involved in as many activities as possible.

She credits her faith as the foundation that keeps her grounded.

“I serve a mighty God, Jesus Christ, and He is my firm foundation. Without the Lord healing and guiding me, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she says.

Katlego explains that she always aims to shine the light of Jesus in the lives of those around her through her actions and interactions.

Her interest in pageantry began at the age of 11, inspired by a friend who was involved in modelling.

“My friend, who is a model, inspired me to start because I saw how much confidence she gained from pageantry, as well as the love and kindness she shared through her platform,” she shares.

Although she initially explored catwalk modelling at a young age, she found balancing it with dance and academics overwhelming, leading her to step away from it at the time.

Now older and more confident in managing pressure, Katlego decided to enter the Mr and Miss Curro Thatchfield 2026 competition, which she describes as ‘a joyful experience’.

“Joining Mr and Miss Thatchies 2026 was a joyful experience, and I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for me,” she says.

Katlego explains that her motivation for entering the competition was rooted in her desire to uplift others.

According to her, the crown was never simply about recognition but about service and impact.

“Being crowned Miss Curro Thatchfield was never about receiving a crown but about having a platform to serve people with love, kindness, and humility. I hope to inspire people who may feel overlooked or uncertain about themselves to feel confident and comfortable in their own skin.”

She highlights how contestants developed strong bonds throughout the journey, supporting one another despite competing for the same title.

One of the biggest challenges, she recalls, was competing against friends while staying authentic during interviews and Q&A sessions.

When her name was finally announced as the winner, Katlego says the moment felt surreal.

“Words cannot describe how happy and honoured I was. It felt like a dream,” she says.

Throughout the competition, she received overwhelming support from her family and friends, who continuously encouraged her and believed in her potential.

Her mother, Makwatsi, describes Katlego as a confident, bold, and determined young girl who works hard to achieve the goals she sets for herself.

“She is also deeply spiritual, humble, disciplined, and respectful,” Makwatsi adds.

Makwatsi recalls first noticing Katlego’s interest in pageantry in 2021.

“Although pageantry was not initially a childhood dream, Katlego has always shown a love for creative expression and performance from a young age through ballet and dance,” she says.

Supporting Katlego throughout the Miss Curro Thatchfield journey, her family played a key role in helping her maintain balance.

Makwatsi explains that they wanted to ensure that while Katlego pursued her ambitions, she would not become overwhelmed by her many responsibilities.

Reflecting on the moment her daughter was crowned, Makwatsi admits that part of her had expected Katlego to succeed because of the determination and hard work she consistently displays, particularly in her dance achievements.

However, she acknowledges that another part of her was surprised by just how well Katlego performed in the pageant.

“We feel so blessed and favoured,” she says.

For Makwatsi, what stands out most about her daughter is her resilience, discipline, humility, and commitment to putting God first in everything she does.

She hopes that other young girls who look up to Katlego will learn to set goals for themselves, remain determined, and never doubt their abilities while staying humble throughout their journeys.

Looking ahead, Katlego hopes to continue using her platform to spread love, encouragement, and positivity.

Her dream is to help people around the world recognise their worth and value, regardless of age or background.

She believes that without love and genuine care for others, participating in pageantry would hold little meaning.

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