‘Academic’ pageant to assist students

Entries for the second annual Ms Tertiary SA are now open, giving female students a chance to compete for a scholarship.

Lungako Magida, who is the founder of the national pageant, which has a focus on academic achievements instead of beauty, said Ms Tertiary SA was an education advocacy pageant aimed at bridging the financial struggles of students by disbursing scholarships to the winners.

“The pageant is a response to the #FeesMustFall movement which highlighted the growing number of financially excluded students in tertiary institutions across the country,” Magida said.

She said not only did the pageant contribute to educating winners, but also assisted participants in getting workplace-ready.

“We are rolling out an initiative that will empower a larger number of students nationwide with workshops that will focus on soft skills such as monetising the digital space, as well as equipping them with skills such as putting together professional CVs and cover letters and how to handle interviews, a work space image and behaviour and such,” she said.

There were many things that set Ms Tertiary SA apart from other pageants, including it being open to both single and married women, she said.

“The pageant is open to single, previously/currently married female students with or without children, aged between 18 and 35, in all legally registered public and private universities and colleges nationwide. Swimwear is not included,” said Magida.

In addition to a scholarship, the winner stands to win prizes worth more than R250,000.

The first princess will walk away with a scholarship and R15,000 cash and the second princess with a scholarship and R10,000.

The winner will have the responsibility of hosting young women empowerment seminars, raising funds for a charitable cause of her choice and contributing to it.

Download entry forms at www.mstertiarysa.com. Applications close on March 15 2019.