Thabelo crowned the new Miss Sinthumule Kutama

For 23-year-old Thabelo Dijane, who was selected as Miss Sinthumule Kutama 2020/2021, life is all about opening up new chapters. She was crowned during the annual pageant ceremony, held at the S2S Picnic Centre late in December last year.

“If one fears to open a new page in the book of one’s life, how is one going to write a whole new chapter?” she asked. “I simply say I am happy. I am, in fact, excited and bubbling with joy and happiness for winning the crown. It shows that the hard work and sleepless nights as I prepared for the pageant didn’t go down the drain.”

Thabela was studying Management Services at the University of Johannesburg but had to take a gap year in 2020 to raise funds to continue her studies. “During my gap year, I pursued modelling,” she said. “It has helped build my confidence and character. Winning Miss Sinthumule Kutama has opened a new chapter in my life. That’s a chapter of hope and new possibilities."

In 2020, Seksé Royalty signed her as a new model at their agency and she was ready to learn. “Sibonginkosi Moyo, our in-house coach, taught me everything there is to know about modelling,” she said.

She had entered three pageants before, and Miss Sinthumule Kutama was her first title. “I couldn't believe it when they called out my name. At some point I had to kneel down and thank God,” she said.

She shared the stage with 10 other beautiful contestants. Vhutshilo Adelle Phale (24) was selected as first Princess, with Rotondwa Ramalekela (18) as second Princess.

A representative of the pageant, Molatelo Chrysilias Machaba, said their aim was also to promote cultural diversity. “We focus on developing confidence and building self-esteem in our youth through our coaching and training and inspiring them to become active leaders in their communities.”

He thanked his co-founder, Nozipho Mashaba, for going all out to make the pageant a success, with the help of Thabo Mamphaga, Tebogo Liswoga, Musanda Vho-Makhado “Vhathundimapfura” Sinthumule, Mushavho Muhali and all their sponsors.

News in brief - Date: 22 January 2021

Tshifhiwa Mukwevho

Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho was born in 1984 in Madombidzha village, not far from Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province. After submitting articles for roughly a year for Limpopo Mirror's youth supplement, Makoya, he started writing for the main newspaper. He is a prolific writer who published his first book, titled A Traumatic Revenge in 2011. It focusses on life on the street and how to survive amidst poverty. His second book titled The Violent Gestures of Life was published in 2014.

Email: [email protected]