Vhembe’s very own Munei Tsanwani was selected as one of the top 12 finalists for this year’s Miss World South Africa pageant.

The 25-year-old beauty, who hails from Biaba situated in the Nzhelele valleys, holds a BSc honours degree in biochemistry. She is a clinical data analyst by profession, with a dream to empower young people with the right education, employment opportunities, and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.

“My experiences have taught me to be more empathetic, and my education has given me the tools to advocate for the issues closest to our hearts, like unemployment. I believe that we have been given different gifts to make a difference in the places we have been placed. I call it brightening the corner where you are,” she said.

Munei started her modelling career in 2019 when she won her first title, that of Miss Royal Gardens. About her current achievement, she said she was grateful to have made it this far in the competition. “Although I don’t have an extensive modelling background, I decided to challenge myself in 2022 by submitting a video for the Miss South Africa pageant. Regrettably, I did not make it to the top, but then, this year, a new opportunity arose with the Miss World South Africa competition and I seized it with unwavering faith. Being part of this remarkable group of young women from across South Africa is a genuine blessing. They are stunning, highly educated, and determined to make their voices heard. Each one shines in her respective field and it is this diversity and strength that make Miss World South Africa truly special,” she said.

Munei is also the co-founder of the Alfred Kutama Foundation that assists disadvantaged families in the remote rural areas in Vhembe by donating groceries over the holiday season.

She thanked her family for being her source of strength and motivation. “My family is my most precious treasure. I consider myself incredibly blessed to have the best family anyone could wish for. There have been times when they believed in me even more than I believed in myself. They have seen qualities in me that I did not recognise within myself, and their continued support has given me tremendous courage. This unwavering belief in my potential is what ultimately motivated me to participate in the Miss World South Africa competition,” she said.

The crowning event will be held at the State Theatre in Pretoria on 28 October. Until then, the 12 contestants will participate in a series of rigorous competitions, including talent showcases, sports challenges, and charitable initiatives aimed at highlighting the qualities that make them exceptional ambassadors of change ahead of the national final competition and beyond.