BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE – Nhlangano, meet your queen!
15-year-old Evelyn Bearing pupil, Tandzisile Shongwe, was crowned Miss Teen Shiselweni on Saturday. The crowning took place at Shingili Plaas Restaurant in Nhlangano.
Oukitel Eswatini sponsor and the newly crowned.
Ntsandvoyenkhosi Dlamini was crowned the first princess, while Nompendulo Ndlela took the second princess position. The judges for the contest were Mbonisi Ngcamphalala, Zinhle Xaba, and Asiah Ranjah. This was confirmed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Shiselweni Miss Teen Pageant, Khetsiwe Mabuza.
Newly crowned queen Tandzisile Shongwe.
When reached for comment, the new crowned queen said, “I was very happy when they called out my name as the winner. I almost cried. But a few minutes later, I felt bad for those who did not win.” Shongwe is a grade 10 pupil who shared with this publication that she intends to do community work as her first project by buying and donating sanitary pads for girls in need. She said, “For my first project as a queen, I will donate pads since many girls in my community struggle to buy them.”
When asked how she will balance school and being a beauty ambassador, she said, “I plan on balancing my time by drawing up a timetable that will work for me so I can do both my studies and my duties as a queen.”
Reigning tittle holders Simphiwe Mkhwanazi handing over the tittle to the newly crowned queen.
When reached for comment, the PRO of the Shiselweni Miss Teen Pageant said, “We saw much improvement in the crowning ceremony on Saturday, and credit goes to the organising team that did a very good job in preparing for the event. We saw Tandzisile Shongwe scooping the crown. The judges had a hard time when they had to break a tie. Thanks to the finalists and their parents, who allowed them to join the beauty pageant and further supported them throughout the journey,” said Mabuza.
Mabuza went on to say, “We also would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our partners and sponsors. Esinamandla Entertainment and Promotions Agency, DeAskens Projects, Oukitel Eswatini, On Point Castings International, Teeya’s Boutique, Esinamandla Visuals, Nkosi Crotchety, Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture, and lastly, our guests.”
ENCAC CEO Stanley Dlamini making his remarks.
According to the PRO, the event was graced by the CEO of Arts and Culture, Stanley Dlamini, and in his remarks, he mentioned that society needs women to be leaders, and these women need confidence to do that. A beauty pageant plays a major role in boosting one’s confidence. He further added that parents should allow their kids to join beauty pageants. He also stated that all the finalists have now qualified for Miss Teen Eswatini, with more details about the pageant to be shared in time.
The judges from left to right Asiah Ranjah, Mbonisi Ngcamphalala and Zinhle Xaba.
“With the newly crowned title holders, there is a lot of work lined up during their reign. Our first stop is to tour Shiselweni and document her beautiful features. We therefore request further partnerships and sponsorship to make the initiation a success,” said the PRO.
Mabuza also shared that previously they only hosted Miss Teen Nhlangano, but this year they were looking into expanding and reaching the whole of the Shiselweni region.The first Miss Teen Shiselweni was in 2019, it made a comeback last year.
