Fourteen-year-old Rinae Mutavhatsindi Rinae, a Grade 9 learner at Movhe Secondary School, was crowned Miss Mulenzhe during a glittering ceremony held at Mulenzhe Tribal Hall on Saturday, 16 April.
The young beauty queen loves modelling and believes that standing out in a crowd takes more than just physical beauty. "It needs someone who is caring, loving, supportive and giving too, and I have all of those characteristics."
She draws great inspiration from former Miss South Africa Shudufhadzo Musida. "Her being crowned Miss South Africa really inspired me. It gives me the courage to stand tall and pursue my dreams," she said.
Ms Clenky Munyai, one of the pageant's organisers, said they were very happy with the outcome of the competition, as well as the fact that they had done something for the young rural ladies. "There are many young ladies who never receive the opportunity to show off their talents, especially in modelling. This area has a lot of potential. What they need is assistance from those who have the experience, and this is what I will be focussing on," she said.
Munyai encouraged plus-size girls to love and accept themselves too, to love their bodies the way they are and to not let society discourage and mock them. "It's about building confidence. The pageant offers contestants the opportunity to showcase that being big is also beautiful. We want to help young stars to reach their dreams."
Rinae went home with a R2 000 cash prize, while her first princess, Portia Sebola (16), received R1 500 and the second princess, Zamaswazi Ndlovu (14), R1 000.