Nicolette wins Miss Congeniality

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Nine disabled girls between the ages of 16 and 26 contested for the Miss Congeniality 2023/24 title at the Assembly of God Church in Thohoyandou on Saturday, 9 December.

Nicolette Zulu (20), a third-year bachelor of social work student at the University of Venda (Univen), was crowned the winner of the competition. Zulu hails from Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga and is wheelchair-bound. She said that she would like to use her title to advocate and raise awareness about people living with disabilities. “People should respect, value, and accept them as human beings,” she said.

Mukundi Manganyi was selected as first princess, with Koketso Molekoa as second princess, and Thompho Gadabi as Miss Public Choice.

Miss Congeniality is the brainchild of the visually impaired founder, Ms Bele Ramunenyiwa of Thohoyandou P West. She said she wanted to encourage disabled young people to become confident and appreciate their natural beauty, regardless of their disabilities. The nine contestants in this year’s pageant are all students at universities and TVET Colleges.

Ramunenyiwa, who was an educator for 22 years, lost her eyesight in 2013. She started the Miss Congeniality pageant in 2018, after her children encouraged her to do something for disabled people. She said she loved education and did not want young people with disabilities to be excluded from becoming successful future leaders because they never got a good education.

The cash prizes were sponsored by Black Leopards FC boss Tshifhe David Thidiela, and cellphones by Dr Victor Phume. Vevisa Lodge in Thohoyandou sponsored a weekend stay, while Rachel Gadisi offered to pay for baking courses.

By: Silas Nduvheni