To give back to her community and encourage young people to be confident, Miss Teen Universe South Africa finalist and Jeffreys Bay Comprehensive High School learner, Anda Tokwe, plans to host a Miss and Mr Heritage Pride pageant on September 23.
As previously reported by the Kouga Express, Tokwe was bullied from the age of 11 about her sensitive skin.
Despite the difficulties she faced, she was determined to find her inner strength and began participating in beauty pageants.
In 2015, Tokwe was crowned Miss ANC Youth and Miss Spring Personality in the same year.
She was also selected as the runner-up for Miss Jeffreys Bay Comprehensive High in 2016.
Tokwe is also the provincial director of the Eastern Cape Miss Go-Gather South Africa, a platform established to provide positive experience for youth in South Africa through leadership, personal development, and community services.
This year she decided to enter Miss Teen Universe South Africa 2023 and, in July, she was chosen as a finalist.
She is also looking forward to the finals which will take place in December in Gauteng.
The Teen Universe South Africa winner will get a chance to represent South Africa in Spain in February next year.
“If I win the Miss Universe South Africa, I would like to change the mindsets of our younger generation by motivating them to stand up and grab each opportunity that comes their way with both hands,” said Tokwe.
Due to her experience of being bullied as a young girl, she is a firm believer in standing up for others and is now hoping to inspire young people to follow their dreams, regardless of the challenges they face, by hosting her first Miss and Mr Heritage Pride pageant.
“I support the youth in my community and the LGBTQIA+ community, while standing up for those who are body-shamed,” said Tokwe.
To continue doing good work in her community, she plans to open her own private modelling agency, which she will use as a platform to help people believe in themselves and build their confidence.
She said the funds raised at the event will be used to prepare for the Teen Universe South Africa finals.
The entry fee for the Miss and Mr Heritage Pride pageant on September 23 is R 50.
The time and venue is yet to be confirmed.
For more information email Anda Tokwe on andatokwe212@gmail.com or contact her on 072 026 5486 or 073 892 1601.
