At the age of 15, Minenhle Maseko from Wright Park is making a remarkable impact, not only as a finalist for Little Miss Empower South Africa but also as a rising voice for the youth and mental health advocacy.

Maseko told the Springs Advertiser that she joined the pageant because it acknowledges the dreams of young girls, gives them the opportunity to express themselves, encourages them to believe in those dreams, and embraces their uniqueness.

She said that representing Gauteng is an honour to her as the place known for its unity, diversity and vibrant spirit.

She expressed that being from the province has given her the courage to dream boldly. Carrying the province’s name across her chest is more than a title but a reminder that greatness can come from anywhere.

Maseko shared that the moment she received her finalist sash felt like a dream come true, not just because of what it symbolised but because it represented the support and love from her family and community and reminded her that her dreams are valid.

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She also said that the journey has been all about growth, courage and learning. Maseko shared that there were times when she had to choose growth over fear to become the voice she has always wanted to be for the voiceless.

She added that it has made her more aware of issues faced by the world and youth and made her more passionate about mental health.

“Many young people struggle to speak about mental health because of fear, judgment or lack of support and through my social media platforms, I hope to change that by creating safe, relatable and empowering spaces to talk openly about mental health,” said the beauty queen.

Maseko also said that she has seen what silence can do and how people wear smiles but hide so much inside. She wants to be that voice that reminds them they are not alone, that their feelings matter, and that healing is possible.

On her social media, she runs a project called ‘I am becoming’, where she goes live on Instagram or TikTok every Friday, encouraging youth to embrace their uniqueness and discuss how it affects mental health.

“If I win the title, I really would love to host a real-life session where we just unpack ways in which we can deal with mental health,” said Maseko.

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Apart from being a mental health advocate, Maseko is a Grade Nine learner at Hoërskool Johan Jurgens, and she said that time management is essential to her in allocating time between schoolwork and all the activities she does, ensuring she gives each activity her all.

She also said that the support from her family and community has been amazing, with them sharing her posts, voting for her, and encouraging her never to give up.

Maseko concluded by saying she sees herself competing internationally, proudly representing South Africa and gaining a more expansive reach so she can inspire and uplift more young people across the world.

“As a young leader, I envision growing into a powerful voice for change, creating platforms, leading projects, and building spaces where youth feel seen, heard, and valued across the world,” she said.

The crowning of Little Miss Empower SA will take place on May 2, 2026, at the Victory Theatre in Johannesburg.