Beauty and the beads: Delft teen to represent Xhosa culture at national pageant
DREAM COME TRUE: Yonela Gebengu, 17
This stunning beauty will be representing Cape Town in a national cultural pageant that encourages youth to stay true to their roots.
Your vote can help 17-year-old Yonela Gebengu bring home the Miss Indoni Cultural SA crown while setting a good example for youngsters.
The teen from Delft says she entered the prestigious pageant because it is aimed at promoting and instilling cultural values and morals while addressing social issues in communities.
The finals will take place in Durban on 17 and 18 December and an excited Yonela says she is looking forward to it.
She will be competing among youth from other tribes, representing the amaXhosa.
This is only the second pageant this young poet has entered after recently winning the AmaXhosa Queen title in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape in August.
“This is a dream come true for me, I've always wanted to enter since I was 12 and now it is finally happening,” she says.
“I want to give it my best and show that staying pure and putting yourself first doesn't mean you’re not cool and not recognised.
“It protects you from a lot of things and gives you peace, not worrying about pregnancy and STIs.
“Even if you’re not pure, you can still choose to abstain and reduce the number of teenage pregnancies and infections.
“Change can start with our generation, let’s go back to our roots and take pride in our bodies.”
The teen who is in Grade 10 at Simunye High School, says it is hard work to become a cultural icon.
“The journey with Indoni hasn’t been easy as I have to juggle my school work and the rehearsals but I appreciate the support I get from family, the community and my team.”
If this aspiring lawyer wins, she promises to plough back the knowledge and skills she learnt and to lead by example.
“Indoni has taught me a lot about respect, leadership and cultural diversity and will give me a platform to be a voice for the voiceless and address issues affecting youth.”
To vote for Yonela, SMS INDONI MISS XHOSA to 33616.