Nolene Spinks (23) from Gqeberha is a contender in the Miss SA 2024 competition and is hoping to make her hometown proud by winning the title.
Although currently residing in Moreleta Park, Tshwane, her roots are in the Friendly City.
She attended Framesby High School before pursuing higher education at the University of Cape Town, and the Montessori Centre South Africa. Now she is a Montessori pre-school teacher at Little People’s Place, working towards a diploma in Early Childhood Development. She has also completed a digital marketing short course through UCT and studied music theatre up to the eighth grade with Trinity College London.
Beyond her educational achievements, Spinks is a talented Afrikaans singer and songwriter. She was formerly part of the group Reën, but left earlier this year to embark on a solo career.
Spinks’s journey has been marked by hard work and perseverance. She understands the challenges of balancing multiple roles while striving for recognition in the arts.
“South Africa is home to some of the best vocalists, artists, and creatives yet to be discovered,” she said. “I want to step into the gap created by a lack of knowledge and opportunities, having walked that path myself.”
She believes that the most important aspect of Miss South Africa is the ability to serve.
“I’ve been changing nappies for a living. I’m not above any task that comes with the crown,” she said.
Her goal is to push through challenges and persevere, always with the intention of serving her country.
Spinks believes that the qualities a woman should possess to make a notable difference in the world include wisdom, honesty, discipline, strength, humility, and diligence. She draws inspiration from her family, especially her mother, Sonja Spinks, who played a pivotal role in her upbringing alongside her father, Noël Spinks.
“Growing up in a small house, which my dad doubled in size with his own hands, taught me the value of hard work and perseverance,” she recalled.
Food is Spinks’s love language, and she actively participates in community service through food drives and soup kitchens. Her family’s tradition of giving back has deeply influenced her, and she continues this legacy with passion and commitment.
Spinks’s love for South Africa is profound.
“I love the passion in every person’s eyes when speaking about their home. The stories, the history, the languages, the traditional food, all of it,” she said. Her definition of success is simple yet powerful: “Reaching at least one person in the crowd and making a lasting difference in their lives”.
Spinks is an open book when it comes to her likes and dislikes. She loves fishing, but can’t handle taking the fish off the line. She enjoys eating peanut butter straight from the jar, and is not shy about her inability to dance. Family is central to her life, and she cherishes the joy and bubbliness that define her personality.
“I don’t have a biggest disappointment, because I’ve failed and been disappointed many times. With every obstacle, I’ve made it through by the grace of God and my family’s guidance,” said Spinks, reflecting on her challenges.
Locally, Spinks looks up to her mother whom she considers the strongest person she knows. Internationally. She admires Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez for their successful yet humble careers.
Spinks acknowledges the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her generation, noting that it has made many young people less willing to struggle and persevere. Her message to young girls and women in South Africa is: “Gebruik jou verleentheid, as jou geleentheid,” meaning “Use what should have broken you as your opportunity.”
In her spare time, Spinks enjoys indulging in pizza and watching The Big Bang Theory. She dreams of learning to surf and treasures a necklace given to her by her father, a symbol of her transition into womanhood.
Spinks hopes her journey from a small home in Gqeberha to the Miss South Africa 2024 competition is a testament to her resilience, passion, and dedication. She aims to inspire and uplift those around her, making a notable difference in her community and beyond.
Viewers can watch the finalists on Crown Chasers, a reality TV show which introduces South African viewers to those vying to take the crown from the current incumbent, Natasha Joubert. The six-part series starts on SABC3 on June 29, at 20:30
