Being bullied from the age of 11, and her passion for helping others, have prompted Miss Teen Universe South Africa contestant, Anda Tokwe (18), from Jeffreys Bay, to establish a youth programme to combat body shaming in the Kouga region.
Tokwe’s confidence took a hard knock when she was bullied at the age of 11 due to her sensitive skin.
Despite being mocked every day at school she was determined to find her inner strength and not give up.
Thankfully, the confidence her mother, Sandisiwe Tokwe, displayed while participating in many beauty pageants over the years inspired her to follow a similar path.
In 2015, Tokwe was crowned Miss ANC Youth and Miss Spring Personality in the same year.
Furthermore, she was selected as the runner up for Miss Jeffreys Bay Comprehensive High in 2016.
“I love that the pageant industry is centred on community service because I love helping people,” she said.
Tokwe, who is 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, said that last year her late uncle Awonke Stokwe encouraged her to enter Miss Teen Universe South Africa 2022, but she was unable to participate in the competition due to personal reasons.
This year she decided to enter Miss Teen Universe South Africa 2023 and hopes to win the competition in her late uncle’s honour.
“Since entering the competition I have been pouring my heart and soul into every aspect of this pageant,” said Tokwe.
“Winning Miss Teen Universe South Africa would mean the world to me.”
To make it to the finals of Miss Teen Universe South Africa she needs votes from the public.
Voters are required to deposit the necessary amount to Capitec account number 1116490097 using the reference number ‘Anda Tokwe’ and then send proof of payment to 076 700 4079 on WhatsApp.
Each vote costs R3.
The finalists will be announced on July 4, while the winner will be crowned in March next year in Durban.
Apart from her dream of being crowned Miss Teen Universe South Africa, Tokwe also plans to use her experience with bullying to establish a youth programme to combat body shaming and help the youth in Kouga navigate various challenges they might face.
The youth programme will launch on Saturday, May 14.
“I want to empower our youth to accomplish their goals and aspirations and encourage them to never give up on their passion,” said Tokwe.
As part of her role as provincial director of the Eastern Cape Miss Go-Gather South Africa, Tokwe is also in the process of arranging a modelling competition in December for all ages which will see the winner receiving a semi-finalist sash and a professional photoshoot.
- For more information about the youth programme contact Anda Tokwe 072 026 5486.
