Zwavhudi Bele is one of the finalists in The Crown of Vhembe beauty pageant, taking place in Thohoyandou on Saturday, 28 March.
The Tshandama-born creative, who works across modelling, fashion design, art and writing, says reaching the finals already feels like a victory. She believes the competition represents leadership, culture and purpose, while opening doors for young women to dream bigger.
“As a model, I bring character and style to life, showcasing the beauty of fashion and individuality,” she says.
Known for her love of vibrant colours and rich textures, Zwavhudi uses fashion and visual storytelling to express identity and confidence. Through the pageant, she hopes to inspire girls in her community to believe in themselves and pursue opportunities that once felt out of reach.
Her role model is Shudufhadzo Musida, whose journey showed that a crown can be used as a tool for change and meaningful representation. Zwavhudi dreams of working with brands, promoting products and representing campaigns on television, in print and at live events.