Cape Town girl keen on fashion career as a model
AT EIGHT years old, Khayelitsha’s Kwakho Mamputa is one step closer to making her wish a reality.
She has been recently selected as a finalist for the Toddler and Tween World pageant where she will compete with other young models from African countries.
The event will be held in Klerksdorp, North West, in August.
Kwakho comes from yet another successful competition after she won two awards under her categories in Mr & Miss Western Province at the weekend.
She was Little Miss Western Cape best up-andcoming model, and overall best and up-and-coming Miss Western Province, according to her proud mother, Brenda Mamputa.
Kwakho was also the first princess in Little Face of Cincere 2018.
Mr & Mrs Western Province is a charity-based, annual pageant.
It is one of six events hosted and organised by OMT Pageants (who have been organising pageants since 2014).
“As a parent it’s a blessing to have a child who dreams big and knows what she wants at a young age.
“This is her God-given talent; no one forced her to be a model and she is enjoying it.
“I also encourage her to work hard at school and do well because she is still young.
“Maybe when she grows older she might have a passion for something else.
“I am proud of the amount of hard work she has put in. It has paid off,” said Mamputa.
Kwakho’s dreams of participating and hopefully becoming Little Miss Universe were dashed after she failed to raise funds to travel abroad.
Kwakho first made her mark in the modelling industry when she was named the face of Ackermans clothing store’s newborn babies when she was less than 10 days old.
Her modelling coach, Reana van Tonder, from RVT Brackenfell models, has been polishing her talent ever since.
The soft-spoken Khayelitsha Modelling School star said she wants to be a professional model and can’t wait to explore the world and show off her skills and talent.
“I was heartbroken when she could not fly her country’s flag up high as she was selected to represent South Africa at the 13th Little Miss Universe 2018, which was held last week in Turkey.
“This could have opened many doors for her, especially internationally. I did not have the means to send her and there were no sponsors available,” said Brenda.
She appealed to the public to help raise funds for the trip to North West.
She managed to pay the R500 entry fee and needs R5 000 for the rest of the fees and trip.
Brenda said she was not employed full time and did not have the resources or money required by the organisers.
She is the founder of Khayelitsha Modelling School, which has unearthed the talents of young people, including Yandiswa Gxwala and Sanelisiwe Sithole, who all held the title of Miss Khayelitsha in the past.
Anyone wishing to assist can contact Brenda Mamputha on 073 148 7626 or send an e-mail to mamputa.brenda@gmail.com