Homeopathy student Andile Mazibuko (23) and Journalism alumnae Lisanne Lazarus (25) are making the institution proud after being selected in the Miss South Africa (SA) Top 30.
Miss South Africa is presented by Weil Entertainment in association with M-Net, Mzansi Magic and Sun International. The pageant is a leadership platform for ambitious young South African women. Through a pageantry process, contestants receive world-renowned coaching in addition to advanced networking, business and life skills.
Shaped into brand ambassadors, they become champions of women’s rights, thought leaders and savvy career women who inspire other young South Africans to fulfil their potential, recognise their self-worth and find their place in the world.
For Mazibuko, from eMabedlane in Ulundi, when the Miss South Africa entries opened she just knew that this was the year to get over her fear, doubt and enter the competition.
“On 17 June 2021, I submitted my entry form and video and from that point there was no turning back. Three weeks later I heard Shudufadzo’s voice mentioning my name under the selected Miss South Africa Top 30,” she said ecstatically.
Growing up she never dreamt of becoming a model but when she discovered her love for modelling in 2018, she just knew that the Miss South Africa stage is where she needed to be.
“The Miss SA platform has given birth to phenomenal women who have refused to be silenced, being part of the pack would be an honour and a privilege,” she said.
She grew up as a very shy child so she never imagined herself as a model, in fact she hated how people would ask her if she modelled because of her body shape. In 2018, she entered a pageant out of curiosity just to discover what people have been seeing in her, little did she know that the very same pageant would be her breakthrough, in terms of modelling.
“Since then my love for modelling grew and I started thinking broader. For the first time in my life I felt like I had a voice, a face and a purpose. That’s where my confidence started building up, till today I am able to speak out, be heard and be present,” she said.
With the likes of role models like her mother and the beautiful Bonang Matheba, she stressed that these two women have been a true definition of a powerhouse.
She relayed that she would love to ask the DUT community and the public to vote for her to increase her chances of being in the top 10.
“South Africa is considered the fifth judge so votes are a contributing factor to the top 10 selection. My voting number is 1,” she said.
Mazibuko also wants to thank each and every single person that has supported her thus far.
“I truly am humbled by the love and support that I have been receiving. It is heart-warming knowing that I am not alone on this journey. I hope my journey inspires each and every individual to get up, face their power and embrace their future,” she said.
Journalism alumnae Lazarus, who resides in Amanzimtoti, South of Durban, currently works as a PR and Brand officer for a local radio station.
She explained that her journey began at DUT. In 2014 she enrolled for her National Diploma in Journalism. In her first year she had participated in the Miss DUT competition and won, and went on to represent DUT in the national competition and was placed first princess in the Miss SA Campus competition. She then completed her diploma in 2017 and graduated with Cum Laude and the prestigious Dean’s Merit award.
The charismatic Lazarus relayed that she always wished to be part of the prestigious Miss SA.
“I have wanted to be involved in Miss SA for the longest time. Those who know me, know that it’s all I ever spoke about. So when the entries opened this year, I recorded my video entry and submitted my entry. A few days later I got a call from the Miss SA CEO telling me I had been shortlisted,” she said.
For Lazarus, participating and being selected in the Miss SA Pageant is now a dream that has come true. She had entered Miss South Africa three times already but had never made it beyond a shortlist.
“I screamed and said finally. It was a phone call I was waiting for since the age of 14. It felt so surreal. Every year that I received a rejection email, I dusted myself off and worked even harder to make a stronger comeback because I just knew that my purpose would be fulfilled to its highest degree on that time platform,” she said elatedly.
Lazarus said her love for modelling and pageants is what drove her to continue on this exciting passion of hers.
“More than modelling, I have always loved pageants because it’s a celebration of women and gives us a platform to express our beauty for all that we are. It also allows us to make an impact through CSI initiatives and gives us a microphone to amplify our voices,” she said.
She indicated that she sees herself in the top 10 because she was completely authentic and that’s good enough.
“It will always be enough. Whether I make the cut or not, I know I was 100% myself and didn’t pretend to be anyone else,” she said.
Her plea to the DUT community and the public is to vote for her to get her to the top 10.
“Please vote for me in order to make it to the top10, I really need your support in the form of votes. Please visit https://www.misssa.co.za and vote for number 20. I just want to say thank you to my DUT family for all the love and support. It means the world to me. Stay safe,” she said.
Voting ends at midnight, 21 July 2021. The Top 10 will be announced at a date to be announced.
Pictured: Andile Mazibuko
Pictured: Lisanne Lazarus
Simangele Zuma/Waheeda Peters
