Sonike Lombard (30) was crowned Mrs Africa 2025 at the 21st annual Africa Pageants on September 6 at the Medley House in Brakpan. Winning this title is one of Lombard’s greatest achievements since she began participating in pageants in 2021.

“It was like a dream when they placed the crown on my head. All this hard work made a difference,” said Lombard.

Lombard began competing in pageants with her daughter, Ivy (7), when she joined the SA All Star Modelling Academy in Secunda.

“This was something that my daughter and I could do together, something special for us, without the boys,” said Lombard.

Since competing, she has won titles:
• 2021 Mrs Autumn Beauty, Mrs Spring Beauty category and overall winner, and Mrs Christmas Beauty category and overall winner.

• 2022 Mrs Mpumalanga Charity.

• 2023 Mrs Autumn Beauty category winner and overall queen winner, Face of Fashion first princess and Mrs Pure Heart.

• 2024 Mrs Hollywood and numerous category awards. In a five-in-one Pageant Festival, she won all five categories, as Supreme winner, South Africa National Royalty, Ultimate Royal Queen, Jewel of South Africa, and Royal Beauty. She was also the Mpumalanga provincial winner.

Since being in the pageant industry, Lombard has been involved in numerous charity outreach projects with sponsorship from local businesses.

These projects include a honeymoon for underprivileged couples; a clean-up of the dart club for open days; a sanitary pad and clothing drive; a matric dance charity dress show; a BackaBuddy fundraiser for Rainbows and Smile; a toy drive; and Slippers for a Cause Day.

“You don’t always need to get recognition for doing something good. It’s about changing people’s lives, a little at a time,” said Lombard.

She said pageant work is about using the platform to do good in one’s community, and not just about winning a crown. Lombard has done several sanitary drives for girls and women through Dignity Dreams, a registered NPO in South Africa that manufactures and distributes washable, eco-friendly, and sustainable pads.

“There are so many girls who miss out on their education because they don’t have necessities like sanitary pads. Just because you come from poverty doesn’t mean you are poverty. Your education is your future, and you can excel and make a big name for yourself out there,” said Lombard.

She said even if she can assist with one month’s supply of sanitary wear for one girl, it is one girl who can go to school and not have to miss out because of menstruation.

“I have a much bigger platform to work on, and now I can do so much more. I will use the power of the sash. My goal wasn’t the crown. It was about the opportunity to do the work. The crown is just a bonus,” concluded Lombard.

She thanked her husband Chris, mother Liezel Brand, family, sponsors, and the modelling agency for their support, and our Heavenly Father for His guidance throughout her journey.