Vhembe is extremely proud of one of its most beautiful women who live with albinism, Engedzani Ndou, who was crowned Mrs Albinism SA 2023/24 on Saturday, 16 December. The crowning ceremony was held at the Victory Theatre in Johannesburg. She also won the Mrs Charity Driver 2023/24 title during the pageant.
The 20-year-old beauty queen, who hails from Dzimauli village, said that, even though she was born at Ha-Lambani, she was proud to have put Dzimauli on the map. She said that because she was still doing her junior degree at the University of the North, juggling rehearsals for the pageant and concentrating on her studies had been quite a challenge at times.
"I am a very ambitious person who is also determined in whatever I do. I am happy to say I did very well in my studies and won two titles. I never did modelling, but the moment I was given a chance to walk on stage, I did wonders and the whole hall was clapping for me," she said.
Ndou said her main aim in life was to show others that people with albinism were as normal and capable as everyone else. "We are beautiful. I feel like a real queen, and believe me, I am going to win that coveted title one day," she said.
She concluded by thanking Limpopo Mirror for opening doors for her. "A week after I was featured in the newspaper, the whole Turfloop campus was buzzing about my picture on the front page. Nearly all my friends in my village also bought the newspaper and started wishing me good luck. That story encouraged me to do my best," she said.