Fresh face of SA culture
Ziphozihle Ntlanganiso is Miss Heritage
AFINANCE officer at a local accounting firm has trumped 17 other beauties from across the country to be crowned Miss Heritage South Africa 2015.
Ziphozihle Ntlanganiso, 25, who will now represent the country at the Miss Heritage Global event, said she had been attracted to the pageant because of its focus on empowering women.
She said participants were involved in initiating positive sustainable development, worldwide.
“I could identify with the values the pageant stood for and the importance of embracing one’s identity.
“Being an educated and young professional, I saw it as an opportunity to grow and also plant a seed of hope for the younger generation for character building,” said Ntlanganiso.
Miss Heritage South Africa, now in its third year, celebrates culture and togetherness in diversity through a mix of culturally relevant segments that paint a picture of a country rich in heritage and united in diversity.
Judges included the reigning Miss World Universal, Charnet Korff; prime time news anchor and SABC News bulletin editor Mahendra Raghunath; international model and author Stevel Marc; Gaschette magazine fashion director Jessica Lupton; businesswoman and author Fikile Mekgoe; and actor and film industry creative Thapelo Mokoena.
Head judge Mekgoe said of Ntlangiso’s win: “Ziphozihle possessed the qualities and is the full package – intelligent, beautiful, confident yet humble, has insight into her heritage and its significance in today’s world.
“She stands out as a role model for the youth and the perfect ambassador to represent the brand.”
King William’s Town-born Ntlanganiso matriculated from the Hector Petersen Senior Secondary School in Zwelitsha and later graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Fort Hare. She works in East London as a finance transformation associate at PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
She said the entire experience had taught her a lot about embracing her individuality and how to equip others.
“I have started going to schools and motivating our youth because I believe that my heritage is not just what has been left for me but rather what I leave behind.
“Winning for me means living up to these words: creating a legacy through my reign.
“A legacy that will not just promote our heritage but transform young minds who will carry the responsibility of maintaining and uplifting what has been left for them.”
In November she competes against 50 other beauties from across the world but said she wasn’t daunted by the challenge. “There can be 50 girls; but there is only one me.” — ziphon@dispatch.