In a showcase of the Helderberg’s pride the LGBTQI community gathered to crown Jemma Sky Mazwai the first Miss LGBT Strand.
The event took place at Boudoir Lounge on Friday 6 September in Strand. It was attended by esteemed judges from Cape Town’s LGBTQI+ and pageantry communities, members of people who identify with the LGBTQI+ in Strand as well as their allies. It was filled with live entertainment from the MC Cemile Elime Katiyo and electric performances from Cornell Jaftha.
The competition was fierce, as 10 extremely talented drag people vied for the crown. The competitors were tested on beauty, charisma, uniqueness and motivational speaking as the winner would go on to represent Strand’s LGBTQI+ community for the next year. They were to demonstrate these talents in three events.
The first event was showing off their swimming costumes, where contestants had to display the confidence they had in their own skin. Afterwards they were tested in their evening wear as they had to exemplify poise and decorum.
The final event saw contestants having to answer questions from the judges. The questions were the highlight of the evening as they were focused on LGBTQI+ issues. One of the questions posed to contestant Shuvandre Anastacia Rodriguez was what she would do if she got to speak in front of the South African Government.
“I would tell Parliament, even though we have so many rights they are not being adhere to,” said Rodriguez. “We are not even safe in our homes.” (The crowd applauded when she said this.)
After an intense three hours the judges crowned Mazwai the winner, with Jacky Latriec Majawie placing third and Allison Foxx finishing as runner-up.
“Winning is an incredible honour,” she declared, “and a deeply humbling experience. Representing the LGBTQIA+ community of Strand is both a privilege and a responsibility. I aim to amplify the voices of others, promote positive change and serve as a role-model, inspiring others to live authentically and proudly.”
The event was organised by Electra Azaelieyah Abundance. The Macassar resident created Miss LGBT because she felt there weren’t enough safe spaces for the community in the Helderberg.
Abundance wants to ensure there is a platform for the community to embrace themselves so they can grow their self-confidence.
“I don’t want this to end here,” she said. “I want this pageant to be a road trip. I don’t just want to keep it in Strand. I want to go to Eerste River then Grabouw, I want to take it everywhere.”
