Sunshine Dlangamandla (29) from Selcourt in Springs is part of this year’s Top 24 Miss South Africa finalists.

She told the Springs Advertiser that her place in the pageant is more than a personal achievement.

For her, it is a chance to shift how women from small towns are seen and heard on a national stage.

Speaking about what the milestone means to her, Dlangamandla said coming from Springs in the East Rand has shaped how she approaches the competition and her role in it.

She believes the platform gives her an opportunity to highlight talent and ideas from smaller communities while advancing her own vision.

“Coming from Springs, a small town in Ekurhuleni, being on a platform as big as Miss South Africa is an opportunity to show the country that women from small towns have voices, are intelligent, and have social responsibilities.

“I really hope to use this platform to spotlight the gems that come from small towns and also endorse my bigger ideas,” she said.

Dlangamandla added that she is also hoping for mentorship and support to develop educational work she plans to create in the future.

When asked what sets her apart from the other Top 24 finalists, she was quick to acknowledge the strength of the group but pointed to her own lived experience and academic background.

“All the women in the Top 24 present themselves as thought leaders. They are resilient and have a sensitivity towards the issues that they care about, and what sets me apart is my personal experiences.”

She highlighted her studies in architecture as a key influence on how she thinks and engages with social issues.

The 29-year-old explained that her degree enables her to understand sociopolitics on a level that has spatial consequences, reflecting dynamics of power and psychology and allowing her to think on multiple levels.

She also described herself as curious and warm, adding that her personality and international exposure have broadened her worldview.

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“I have had the privilege of travelling the world, and that has broadened my perspective not only about myself as an African but also about the rest of the world.”

Education is central to Dlangamandla’s purpose in the competition. She believes young people, particularly in Africa, should be empowered to see themselves differently.

“I feel very strongly about education that allows African youth to perceive themselves as intelligent, creative pioneers who can be wealthy without being corrupt and thrive in any industry they choose,” she said.

Despite the pressure of a national pageant, Dlangamandla said she remains grounded by faith and perspective.

“I pray, and I’m also very intuitive. I try not to focus too much on competition, but rather on the privilege of being among some of the best women in the country.”

She added that she sees the experience as shared growth rather than rivalry and hopes to maintain strong relationships with fellow contestants. Dlangamandla shared that she does not see it as much of a competition, but rather as something destiny-driven.

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“Each of us has our own path, and whoever is destined to be Miss South Africa will be Miss South Africa.”

For young girls in Springs, she hopes her journey encourages ambition beyond familiar boundaries.

The model hopes they are inspired to explore the world because life is not only Springs or Johannesburg.

“There is more life further out, and you will be surprised how beautifully your path opens up. Travelling requires courage, bravery and intuition.”

If she were to win the crown, Dlangamandla said her focus would be on education through a project she has already conceptualised.

“I have an initiative called Dreaming in Colour. It’s about accessing African histories and knowledge that have been erased from our curricula.

“The first thing I would implement is educational content that helps African children see themselves as intelligent, talented and worthy of success,” she concluded.