HIGH HOPES OF MRS SA FINALIST
Vote can help Zanele do her bit for autism
BHISHO’s own Mrs South Africa finalist Zanele Mankayi, 26, aims to reach out to women who have children with autism.
Mankayi, who started modelling as a child, said her journey began as a Top 100 semifinalist on March 2 when she attended the National Casting and Empowerment Workshop of the pageant at Emperors Palace.
“I am so grateful to be part of this journey. I started modelling at a young age as a child with low self-esteem. Now I can see that this is a path God wants me to take as I can now use modelling as a tool to effect the change that I want to see.”
The BCom Accounting graduate said her participation in the pageant had been prompted by women who had no financial resources and no support and who faced discrimination and stigmatisation from their communities because they had kids with autism.
“It is my belief that if the mother is emotionally stable, she will be able to help the child reach his/her full potential. I am eager to empower disadvantaged women, especially the ones in the rural areas of East London, King William’s Town and Butterworth.
“With this platform my aim is to conduct education and awareness workshops and to establish support groups.”
As part of her journey to Mrs South Africa top 25 Mankayi needs a sponsor. You can support Zanele make her journey possible by SMSing “ZANELE MANKAYI” to 35959 (R3/SMS).