The current Miss Univen and Miss Teen Makhado Royal, Unarine Netshia, will represent South Africa at the Miss Ecology International pageant in Mexico, where she will compete against contestants from 54 countries.

The 20-year-old from Tshixwadza village is a final-year B.A. international relations student at the University of Venda. She will leave for Mexico in September to attend the prestigious event that focuses on combating women abuse, inspiring young women, and equipping them with confidence, entrepreneurship skills, and leadership abilities.

“The selection process was quite involved, and I’m very proud to have been chosen to represent South Africa,” said Unarine. During her two-week stay abroad, she will attend daily training sessions in culture, literature, and socio-economic issues, engaging in conversations with delegates from different countries.

Unarine will also have the opportunity to showcase South Africa's rich heritage and stunning designs from her designer, Sandy Nemokonde, of Lady Sandz Designs, who is also a key sponsor of the South African programme.

“I look forward to sharing my advocacy with the world. After I return, I plan to continue my efforts in fighting poverty and empowering my community. I believe my journey will inspire young people from our community to pursue their dreams, no matter their background,” she said.

To make this trip possible, Unarine said she was also seeking sponsorships to help offset the expenses. “It can be in terms of money or any service that may be necessary to make this trip successful,” Unarine explained.

“In the upcoming weeks, I will need fellow South Africans to vote, like, and comment on social media. I will keep everyone updated on Facebook and Instagram,” she promised. Readers can follow her on Instagram: @unarine_netshia and Facebook: Unarine Netshia. She can also be reached at [email protected].