The 2019 Mr and Miss Durban University of Technology (DUT) students are finalists in the Mr and Miss SA Campus 2020. They will not only represent DUT, but will also represent the KwaZulu-Natal province.
Miss DUT, Andile Mazibuko (23) and Mr DUT, Sihle Mjobo (23) are hoping to make DUT proud once again by bringing the titles of Mr and Miss SA Campus 2020.
Mazibuko from Mabedlane at Ulundi, a fourth year Homeopathy student is planning to keep the Miss SA Campus crown at DUT, since Miss DUT 2018, Zabelo Hlabisa was crowned the 2019 Miss SA Campus.
Meanwhile Mjobo from Zikhuba at Bizana, a second year Management Sciences student also has his eyes on the big prize since the Mr DUT 2018, Siyavuya Ndimeni clinched the 1st Prince title at the competition held in Pretoria, last year, in January 2019.
This year’s pageant consisting of participants from various universities across South Africa will be held online and the winner is expected to be announced on the Mr and Miss SA Campus Instagram page @sa_campus_sa from 26 October 2020.
Some of the universities that will be competing are: DUT, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), University of Fort Hare (UFH), North West University (NWU) and university of Venda (Univen).
Speaking about the pageant, Mazibuko said they received an automatic entry after winning the Mr and Miss DUT last year.
She said they first submitted their entry videos in June 2020, where they had to sell themselves to the judges.
“We recently had our first session online on Zoom, where we met the other contestants and the judges. On 14 October 2020, we submitted our videos showing how we walk on stage. There is a social media campaign where participants are given separate days to each take over the competition’s Instagram or Facebook page showcasing their daily routine. We also had a final round which is a Question and Answer session on the current affairs. I am nervous since I will not get a chance to interact with the judges physically and don’t know what to expect,” said Mazibuko.
She expressed that she never imagined herself taking part in pageants not alone being a finalist on a competition that represents various universities in the country.
“I am proud of myself. It’s fulfilling to see the good results that came with me getting out of my comfort zone. I am hoping to win and I’m confident that I will do well as I have been giving it my all, in all the sessions of the competition. The winner will get an entry to an international competition representing universities in the world,” said Mazibuko.
Mjobo said being part of this pageant means a lot to him, being the ambassador of the institution that was recently ranked as one of the top five universities in South Africa.
“Being a finalist in such a prestigious competition means that I have done my part in representing the institution. It gives me an opportunity to access a much larger platform to pass on the message that I carry with me. Having the competition online is challenging because it forces you to innovate the way you present yourself. You have to present yourself online which forces you out of your comfort zone. The whole public has an access to see the whole competition unfold,” said Mjobo.
As a competitive individual, Mjobo said he is hoping to take the title of Mr SA Campus and is aware that all the contestants are equally capable.
“There is a lot of pressure looking at what Miss DUT did last year. It makes the competition much more interesting. The more pressure you have it pushes you to do your best,” stated Mjobo.
He hopes to groom other young men to subscribe to the gentleman code, which he said is a code of respect, intelligence and self-worth.
To rally behind both Mr and Miss DUT, kindly post messages of support to the Mr and Miss SA Campus Instagram page: sa_campus_sa or on their personal Instagram pages @andile_am and @sihle.mj .
Pictured: Mr and Miss DUT 2019, Sihle Mjobo and Andile Mazibuko who are finalists in the 2020 Mr and Miss SA Campus.
Simangele Zuma
