There is a moment Lebogang Millicent Maswanganyi does not speak about often — the moment before she said yes.
Before the stage lights, before the sash, before becoming a Miss Curvylicious SA 2026 finalist, there was a quieter moment in Ha-Mashau, a small village outside Louis Trichardt, where she stood at the edge of her comfort zone and chose to step forward.
“I decided to step out of my comfort zone and embrace my confidence,” she says. “Modelling has become more than walking on a runway. It has given me a platform to inspire others.” She says she is doing it for the woman in the back of the room who came to watch, who has never seen someone who looks like her standing at the front.
Maswanganyi grew up in Vhembe, shaped by strong community values of respect, kindness, hard work and education. She was always involved in community activities, but says she did not always feel reflected in society’s narrow beauty standards.
That, she says, is the challenge of being a plus-size woman in an image-driven world.
“Sometimes people underestimate plus-size models,” she says. “I overcome those challenges by believing in myself, focusing on my goals and remembering that beauty is not defined by size.”
Since entering the pageant, she has also taken her role beyond the runway, visiting children’s homes, elderly care centres and participating in youth and environmental programmes.
She says this work is central to her purpose, not just part of the title.
“I want to be a queen who serves, inspires and creates opportunities for others,” she says. “My crown would not only represent my achievement — it would become a tool for positive change and community development.”
For Maswanganyi, the motivation is also about representation — showing young girls from villages like Ha-Mashau that their beginnings do not define their limits.
“Believe in yourself,” she says. “Never allow fear to stop you from pursuing your dreams. Stay focused, work hard, remain humble and be willing to learn.”
“Your uniqueness is your strength.”