Tsolo, under the Mhlontlo Local Municipality, was thrust into the national and international spotlight when Zozibini Tunzi from Sidwadweni won Miss South Africa, and later Miss Universe, in 2019.
Model and businesswoman, Ezile Konile (23), also from Tsolo in Mngceleni Village, believes the small town has the potential to produce, at least, another Miss South Africa if young girls are groomed through local beauty pageants at an early age.
To practise what she preaches, Konile will host Miss Tsolo High and Primary Schools on June 3, where she hopes to unearth future beauty queens who can put the small town of Tsolo on the map again in future.
The pageant will target contestants between the age of 5 and 19.
“I have been hosting beauty pageants in other areas of the Eastern Cape for many years, and the inaugural Miss Tsolo High and Primary School pageant is a way for me to contribute to the development of my birthplace of Tsolo,” said Konile.
She says that through the beauty pageants she can unearth and groom young girls for careers in modelling, whilst others are mentored to compete in more prominent pageants.
“Competing in beauty pageants can be a form of therapy for some who may be dealing with mental and spiritual challenges. It can also refresh your mind and is a good confidence booster for young women and girls, so I am appealing to the public to not view pageants as just beauty contests,” she added.
Konile has been competing in beauty pageants since she was six-years-old and was a finalist in the 2018 edition of the annual Miss Mhlontlo Local Municipality.
She is planning to host another pageant, Miss Dazzling Divas, in Butterworth in September this year.
Dutywa-born Agcobile Ncwembe is one of many promising talents Konile is proud to have unearthed with her beauty pageants.
She was recently snapped up as an ambassador for a KwaZulu-Natal-based organisation involved in community upliftment projects.
Miss Tsolo High and Primary School prospective contestants can contact Konile on 083 799 4358.
