SIPHELELE NKETO
YOUNG pageant contestant Ndalo-Entle Dlungwana has put the small town of EmaXesibeni (Mount Ayliff) on the map by bringing home four awards in the Miss Township South Africa Pre-Teen finale in Pretoria recently.
A thrilling ceremony to welcome the 13-year-old was held last Sunday in EmaXesibeni, with her family, friends and community celebrating her win.
She won Miss Township South Africa Pre-Teen 2025/26, the Social Media Takeover (Instagram) award, Entrepreneurship award and Influencer award.
The yearly competition was initiated as a beauty pageant and empowerment programme to develop young women. Entries were open for young contestants not necessarily from township areas but representing a village or township of their choice. Phumeza Zulu, a modelling coach for Dlungwana, said that the journey was challenging but at the same time exciting. She said that Dlungwana’s victory was as a result of hard work, from a chain of charity activities, interviews and presentations.
She said that Ndlungwana’s confidence impressed adjudicators at the pageant finale. “The on-stage pageant finale made me feel nervous about Dlungwana, but her performance was extraordinary. She was relaxed and confident,” Zulu said. She coaches over 10 models in the EmaXesibeni area and also empowers young girls to achieve their dreams. Meanwhile, Dlungwana’s spotlight in national pageants started last year when she competed in the 3rd Annual Miss Petite Idol SA. She also holds the Little Miss Alfred Nzo 2022 title.
Her ambition is to keep the Miss Township South Africa Pre-Teen 2025/26 crown while inspiring young girls, especially from disadvantaged communities.
