NJABULO MADLALA | Contributor
This past weekend, we saw the second instalment of the Mr & Miss Empowered Youth EC pageant.
The pageant is an initiative that was founded by Jabulani Mathebula, who has competed on established stages such as Mr South Africa, but has also founded youth-driven initiatives such as BuhleBendalo Modelling & Grooming Academy, which was established in 2020. Mr Mathebula is also a runway coach, speaker and MC.
The event was the essence of youth empowerment. The participants were from various areas of Gqeberha and the wider Eastern Cape.
Winners of the second instalment:
- Mr Empowered Youth 2025: Likhona Kumbaca (King Williams Town)
- Miss Empowered Youth 2025: Linathi Memeni (Gqeberha)
Runners-up – Men’s Category:
- Khanya Antoni (First runner-up)
- Armani Ojoni (Second runner-up)
Runners-up – Women’s Category:
- Abenathi Ginya (First runner-up)
- Kwanga Ntombela (Second runner-up)
The main message that was echoed amongst the attendees of the event was that such initiatives are necessary within the communities we live in to motivate the youth to stay away from the streets.
This is in line with Mr Mathebula’s motivation behind founding the initiative, where he states:
“I was inspired by my journey when I competed in Mr South Africa and the desire to create a platform for youth who may never get the same opportunities I had to walk the stages of established pageants such as Mr South Africa.”
He also hopes to grow the pageant to a national level.
The event took place at the ETC Conference Centre.
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