MEET YOUR #MissSoweto2021 TOP 20

Date: 28 Oct 2021

It’s spring at last and the annual Miss Soweto pageant is back, bringing with it a welcome burst of hope as 20 young women inch closer to the crowning moment. A firm favourite on the Soweto social and entertainment calendar since 1979, the pageant returns with great aplomb. 

Twenty eager finalists will take to the stage of the Soweto Theatre on 27 November to compete for the coveted titles of #MissSoweto2021, First Princess, Second Princess, Miss Personality, Miss Photogenic and People’s Choice Award.  

“The pageant has a dedicated following,” says Mokhele Makhothi, Marketing Manager of White Star Super Maize Meal, the headline sponsor of the event. “The countdown to the finals of Miss Soweto 2021 is gaining momentum.  It’s a fabulous spectacle that kicks off the festive season and has launched many household names, including those of businesswoman Basetsana Khumalo, who was Miss Soweto in 1990; Augustine Masilela, Miss Soweto 1987; the CEO and Founder of The Image Firm, Doris Msibi, who wore the crown in 2000; and deejay and media personality, Lerato Kganyago, who took the coveted title in 2005.” 

These and other award winners are, he says, a worthy illustration of courageously bold women who are confident self-starters keen to use the opportunity Miss Soweto presents to create a public profile, build a successful career, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. The pageant is all about giving Sowetan women a platform to be bold, to take charge of their own lives, and to be a force for good in the community in which they live.   

The  worthy 20 finalists will go through a series of workshops to enhance their business acumen, social media etiquette, social responsibility, diversity & inclusion, fashion & beauty and will receive training  in the finer points of etiquette and professionalism. It’s a treat of a lifetime for the participants and, for many, a life-changing experience.   

The reigning Miss Soweto, Thobile Steyn, says the pageant was an important turning point in her life and has set her on the path to becoming everything she can be.   

“Winning the Miss Soweto title has changed the course of my life,” she says. “The platform has allowed me to interact with incredible people from all walks of life. It allowed me the opportunity to indulge my passion for public speaking; presenting an award at the 2021 South African Music Awards was one of those unforgettable moments.  I encourage this year’s finalists to rise courageously and their  define our own space in the world.”  

As always, community involvement is an intrinsic part of the event and White Star will invite fans around the country to help choose the People’s Choice Award. Voting will open on 26 October – 26 November, giving everyone a chance to make their selection. To vote for your favourite contestant, simply say ‘hi’ on WhatsApp using the number 087 153 1007 or click through to the White Star online voting platform at https://bit.ly/WhiteStarWA - and include the unique number allocated to your pick. Fans can vote up to five times per unique cellphone number.