A 21-year-old from Mpheni village near Elim in Limpopo has been named a finalist in the Miss Face of Courageous pageant. Ndivhuwo Mukumela grew up in a community where opportunities are limited.
She says she often walked long distances to school and sometimes went without basic needs. Despite this, she stayed focused on her goals.“Growing up was tough. We didn’t have much, but it taught me resilience,” she says.
Mukumela also faced bullying at school and in her community. She says this made her journey harder, but she refused to give up. Her interest in pageantry began after seeing other women share their stories on social media. She says it encouraged her to tell her own story and pursue modelling.
Entering the competition came with financial challenges. She struggled to afford transport to auditions and clothing. Support from her community, including donations, helped her continue. “There were times I wanted to give up, but my mother reminded me that I represent more than just myself,” she says.
Her mother and church community supported her throughout the journey. She says their encouragement helped her push through difficult moments. Mukumela says being selected as a finalist is already a major achievement.
“It means everything. It shows I am on the right path,” she says.She previously won the Miss Soutpansberg 2025 title, which she says boosted her confidence.
Mukumela now hopes to use her platform to empower young girls in rural areas through education and mentorship. “I want to show them that their dreams are valid and they can succeed,” she says.
If she wins Miss Face of Courageous, she plans to expand her work and support more young people in her community.