Ayanda wants young women to find their purpose and live it

Dressed in a lovely blue evening dress Ayanda Zanele Nolwazi Masuku shed tears of joy when she was crowned the Face of eMalahleni. The event took place on September 10 at The Ridge, Venue.

The evening consisted of three outfit changes and Ayanda dazzled the judges in them all. She froze when her number, 604 was called out. For a couple of seconds she stood there not knowing who the Master of Ceremonies called. She only knew it was her when contestants started sending congratulatory message stating her number was called.

“As I was walking to get crowned and receive my sash, tears flooded my eyes, it was at that moment that I realised what was going on. The news was finally sinking in,” said a bubbly Ayanda.

The 22-year-old reminisces on how it all started; she was a Grade 11 learner at Hoërskool Reyno Park at the time. She was constantly told she was pretty, had a good body and good skin. With all these compliments from her peers she decided to give it a try. The first step she took was doing a photo shoot.

Ayanda Masuku is the Face of eMalahleni. (Photo: Chrisuné Vermeulen)

“I tried it and I loved it.”

The first pageant she entered was Miss Mpumalanga earlier this year which she made through to the finals, being Top 12.

“It was a bittersweet experience, I was sad I did not win, at that stage I was feeling a little bit demotivated.”

She found out about the Face of eMalahleni contest when she did a radio interview at eMalahleni FM.
On May 7 the search started to look for a queen that will be the face of the city. She explains that she was nervous when going for auditions.

Ayanda Masuku was crowned Face of eMalahleni on September 10 at The Ridge, Venue. (Photo: Chrisuné Vermeulen)

“I thanked God for nurturing my steps, that I made it far in the competition until the day I sat on the throne.”

Beating the stereotype of beauty queens being blonde she wants to be known as a queen with brains. She holds a Higher Certificate in Human Resources in relation with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) from Boston City Campus and Business College.

“I will not stop here, I will definitely study further.”

Coming from a family of five, consisting of her two sisters Asanda and Amanda, their father has always been strict on education whilst their mother believed her daughters must do what makes them happy.

“To balance the equation, I have both. I am educated while doing something I am passionate about. It’s a pleasure to do what you love and if you get paid for it, then that is a bonus.”

Taking over from the beautiful Najma Bham-azam, Ayanda says she wants to leave her own mark. She is not under-pressure and knows what she wants.

“For me actions speak louder than words, I am extremely excited about this new journey and I know I will do well.”

In her reign she wants to see her Non-Profit Organisation Pink-Touch foundation grow from strength to strength. This project is aimed at girls between the ages of 13-18 years. The mission is to empower young girls, help them find their purpose and live it.

The foundation will also host workshops and do charity drives all around eMalahleni.

“I want to enter more pageants maybe even try out Miss South Africa at a later stage. Only time will tell.”

Her message to all young women is that they are unique and special. The golden rule is to find your purpose and live it.