FREE STATE – A young pageant queen from Welkom will represent South Africa at the Little Miss World 2026 competition, scheduled to take place in Turkey from 6 to 18 May.
Lesedi Khatoane (7) began modelling at the age of two-and-a-half years in 2021, when she won the Little Miss Welkom first princess title.
Since then, she has won more than 25 titles and donned the winner sash across provincial and national competitions. This includes becoming the Miss Tiny South Africa (Free State) winner in 2024 and 2025, Miss Free State winner in 2024, and Miss Junior Face of South Africa 2025.
Her 2021 achievements included becoming the Little Miss RSA Province winner and the Little Miss Welkom first princess. In 2022, she won Little Miss Welkom.
Lesedi’s coveted titles obtained during 2024 comprised becoming the Miss Welkom winner, Miss Tiny South Africa (Free State) winner, and Miss Matjhabeng first princess.
In 2025, she won the title of Miss Tiny Queen of the World first princess, Miss Tiny Tourism first princess, Miss Oh so Recto, Miss Pure Heart, Miss Darling Diva overall winner, Miss Welkom, Miss Mini Destiny Helpers, Miss Casual Fashion Queen, and Miss Casual Bling overall winner.
Her titles for 2026 include walking away as the Miss Tiny Sassy Queen winner, Miss Junior Sassy Queen overall winner, and then as the Miss Petite Tourism first princess.
