Pretoria North girl heads to US pageant finals
From a toddler inspired by her older sister to a national titleholder preparing for the world stage, the young pageant queen is proving that dedication and discipline can go hand in hand.
A 10-year-old girl of Pretoria North has celebrated a milestone few children her age can claim, earning the International Junior Miss South Africa-Junior Pre-Teen 2026/27 title and the opportunity to represent the country at the finals in the USA.
Khanyiswa Toli is a Grade 4 learner at Arcadia Primary School and has been preparing for this moment for most of her life. Her crowning in Mpumalanga earlier this month marked the latest chapter in a journey that began when she was only two years old, inspired by her older sister and now-manager, Ayabonga, who is also a pageant model.
Khanyiswa’s success extended beyond winning the national title. She also walked away with the Best Interview, Best Dressed Interview, Best Dressed Fun Fashion, Spokesmodel Overall, Fun Fitness and Academic Excellence awards, reflecting her performance on and off stage.
For her, however, the title represents more than just a crown.
“Winning this title means everything to me. I have always dreamed of representing South Africa. It was one of the happiest days of my life.”
According to Ayabonga, Khanyiswa’s passion for pageantry developed naturally after watching her compete.
“Her first competition was inspired by watching me on stage. From that moment, she knew she also wanted to model and represent young girls with confidence and grace,” explained Ayabonga.
She described Khanyiswa as disciplined, determined, and humble, with a warm personality and a readiness to learn that shapes her on-and off-stage growth.
Outside of pageantry, Khanyiswa enjoys reading, dancing, spending time with her family, and participating in church activities. Her dedication to outreaches and charity earned her the Charity Award during the competition.
Balancing schoolwork and pageantry is one of her proudest achievements.
Receiving the Academic Excellence Award demonstrated that success in the classroom remains a priority.
“Work hard in school first. Your education is important. With time management and determination, you can chase your dreams and still do well academically,” she encouraged.
Ayabonga said the family’s support has played a significant role in helping Khanyiswa pursue her dream.
“Our family has supported her every step of the way with love, encouragement and practical help. We attend events, help with preparation and remind her to stay grounded,” she said.
She added that the experience had strengthened the family and taught them valuable lessons about teamwork, faith and perseverance while showing the importance of supporting a child’s dreams.
With the international finals approaching, preparations are already underway.
Khanyiswa is sharpening her interview skills, improving stage presentation, and building confidence to compete globally.
“It is a great honour. I look forward to representing South Africa with pride, embracing different cultures and showing the world what South African children can achieve,” she said.
Looking beyond the international stage, Khanyiswa hopes to not only continue modelling and represent South Africa in future competitions, but also one day mentor other children.
“I want to inspire young girls to believe in themselves and never stop chasing their dreams. With faith, hard work, and determination, dreams come true,” she encouraged.
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