Student wins pageant
University of Fort Hare (UFH) student Nobenathi Ncwana has clinched the title of Miss Heritage South Africa held on October 20 in Mangaung, Bloemfontein.
The 23-year-old, who firmly believes in her Xhosa roots, was one of 10 ladies from different ethnic groups competing for the top spot.
“I worked and I prayed for this moment. I also won Miss Heritage SA public choice and Miss Heritage SA personality,” said Ncwana.
With slogans, such as #MeToo in social media, the question posed to her during the Q&A session focused on abuse in the workplace and what campaign she would start.
“I would name it #QinaMbokodo because, as women, we need to be strong, stay rooted to our beliefs and values and not let people use us as objects for their own pleasure,” she answered.
Ncwana’s quest for the crown as a finalist required her to do a project, titled “Inspirational Conversation among the Youth and by the Youth”.
The project gave moral support to pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“The purpose was to provide youth with a platform to engage each other in inspirational conversations that would empower and educate them on social ills,” she said.
It also aimed to enhance their social skills, attitude and equip them with knowledge to apply at different stages of their lives.
The third-year BCom student enjoys her chosen career path and aims to be a chartered accountant, although this was not her first choice.
“I was more interested in medicine, but the lack of funding got me to switch to BCom, where I could apply for funding because of my accounting results,” she said.
She is also a co-founder of Nonkululeko Youth Development, an NPO aimed at uplifting and empowering the youth.
This ambitious lady has been a finalist in Miss Universities SA in 2017 and first runner-up in the Miss Eastern Cape 2016/17 pageant.
Miss Heritage Global will be held in Durban in December.