The reigning Miss Univen 2022, Tshepiso Mphidi, ploughed back into her community when she hosted the Miss Vhembe Supranatural 2022 beauty pageant at the Christian Worship House in Shayandima last Saturday.
The pageant attracted hopeful beauties from all over the Vhembe region. Among the guests who graced the event were Miss Teen Universe Washu Hlabioa, Dr Gladys Nethengwe, Dr Tshililo Rammbuda from the National Heritage Council and Vhembe Special Olympics Ambassador and founder of the Rofhiwa Manwadu Foundation Mr Rofhiwa Manwadu.
Contestants and guests alike had a fun-filled day, characterised by music and dancing. Mphidi said that, after winning the title of Miss Univen 2022, she had vowed to involve herself with the upliftment of upcoming local models, mostly from disadvantaged backgrounds.
"Beauty pageants are not popular in this part of the world, and I felt that someone well-informed about it should create a platform to create future models, role models and leaders. From what we have seen here, there is a lot of potential and many of the contestants have a bright future ahead of them. This is just my way of giving back a little. The level of participation was overwhelming, and hopefully we will have events like this on a more regular basis," she said.
The special awards winners were as follows: Overall Public Choice winner: Zwivhuya Ramudzuli; Debutant winner: Ofanelwa Kharivhe; Beauty with a Purpose: Phindulo Tshivhengwa and Mutshekwa Ravhengani; Best-Dressed winner: Rotondiwa Ramagadza, Mutshekwa Ravhengani and Khumbudzo Ramutsindela, and Personality: Thikho Khakhu, Mainganye Ranndima and Rofhiwa Siphoro.
The category winners were as follows: Tiny Miss: Mutshekwa Ravhengani; Junior Miss: Mainganye Ranndima; Little Miss: Lindai Sadiki; Pre-teen Miss: Naledi Moeti; Miss Teen: Phindulo Tshivhengwa; Miss Vhembe Supranatural: Konanani Mudau; Plus Size: Thikho Khakhu and Mr Vhembe Supranatural: Khumbudzo Ramutsindela.
The winning prizes included free contracts with ACE Models Limpopo Central, fitness sessions with Dr Tshililo Rammbuda of the National Health Centre at Thavhani Mall, and their pictures printed on glass by ViVi-H&E.
During the occasion, more than 200 canned and other non-perishable foodstuffs, as well as sanitary pads, were collected to be distributed to disadvantaged communities around the Vhembe District.