Beautiful Phethile committed to community upliftment

IT’S Thursday afternoon as I pack my camera and dash off to meet the newly crowned Miss North Coast 2016, Phethile Mpanza (26), for an interview in eSikhaleni.

But this was not your ordinary meeting. The lovely Phethile has decided to have the interview in an outdoor setting.

Dressed in a lovely black jumpsuit and red high heels with her natural dreadlocks neatly tied, we walked the streets of eSikhaleni.

But of course, there is no township tour without some deep fried vetkoeks and chips with lots of chili sauce – Phethile’s favourite food.

As we walked with leaking hands from all the junk food, she started telling me about her important role in the community, her charity drive as well as plans for the future.

ZO : So, why are we meeting on the street?
Phethile : This is my home and I am proud of this place. It’s my dream to inspire every young woman to take pride in where they come from. This is the place that raised me.The mistake most young people do is to forget their roots and pretend to be something else. I still eat vetkoets and chips, chicken dust and everything else in between.

ZO : You were crowned Miss KwaDube Community earlier this year and now you just scooped the regional title of Miss North Coast? What exactly are your plans for the youth?
Phethile : Creating positive platforms for them and ensure they understand the important of self-pride and education – and obviously try to promote awareness campaigns on various social ills.

ZO : What are you working on?
Phethile : I conduct modelling classes every week. But these are not just about modelling, rather they are about empowering others. As part of my community work I play a role of an older sister, teaching youngsters self-confidence and how girls should carry themselves in the community.
I’m also passionate about charity. I have joined the Celukuthula Orphanage and collect food parcels and clothes for the underprivileged.

ZO : What is next for your community?
Phethile : I am currently working on a campaign to ensure all rural and disadvantaged girls in the area receive sanitary pads in schools. The programme is also aimed at educating girls about development, their bodies and getting professionals to offer them advice on health issues. This will also include education on various career paths.

For Phethile, this if just the beginning. She says she will use her status to influence positive change in the community and be a role model for many.

Her outstanding community work is not only something to be commended, but it can be used as an example for other young people to also positively contribute to their community.

As the clock reaches 6pm, the interview ends with the beauty queen dashing off to another community engagement.

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