‘Modelling is not forever’
‘I’M JUST GOING TO CONTINUE BEING NTANDO’
1997 was the year the current Miss SA, Ntandoyenkosi Kunene, started dreaming of becoming a model and one day being crowned as the most beautiful woman in the country.
“When Kerishnie Naicker got crowned, that is when a seed was planted for me,” the 23-year-old beauty says. And then she started modelling around the house and practising her speech in front of the mirror.
“I followed the Miss South Africa competitions and later realised that it’s not just about the night you are crowned, the sash and all the glittery stuff, but the work that starts the day after, when it’s your responsibility to inspire South Africa and make a change for other beautiful girls who look up to you, so that they see that dreams actually do come to reality.”
Ntando, an education Honours Degree student from Wits University, says though she values her title as Miss SA 2016, she understands that modelling is not a lifelong career and her education remains one of her priorities. “Modelling can never be a career, especially in South Africa. It has to be something that you are doing on the side or as a hobby, but school is crucially important because modelling is not forever.
“You are in today and out the next day,” she says, therefore she feels strongly that one needs education to make a decent living and have something concrete to fall back on.
She says even though her parents, Christopher and Baby Kunene, have always reminded her how important
I’m delighted because I have the opportunity to give back to my nation.
Ntandoyenkosi Kunene Miss South Africa
going to school was, they have equally been supportive of her dream to one day be crowned Miss SA.
“They have been supportive from day one. They have always been there for me throughout my journey. They have been my greatest support system. They are so proud of me, and me being crowned is a dream come true – not only for me but for them as well.”
The Mpumalanga-born beauty says with her parents’ support, she feels no pressure at all or fear of failure. “I’m just going to continue being Ntando. But with this title I really want to make a difference in people’s lives.
“I believe that it will open a lot of doors for me and allow me to take an elevator to open doors for others.”
Ntando says nonetheless her journey has not been a walk in the park. “Besides Miss SA preparations last year, my Honours Degree was challenging on its own. I had to pull out everything to ensure that I succeed in both things because I truly love both.”
She says to maximise her chances of winning, she gave herself a challenge. “I wanted to see what my body could do, so I went to gym, ate right and had enough sleep – and realised that my body can actual- ly get a six-pack.”
Raised by parents who she says always motivated her to give, Ntando says she is overjoyed that her new title will afford her just the right opportunity to do so. “I’m delighted because I have the opportunity to give back to my nation; to inspire little girls like myself to have big dreams.”