Mdantsane-born education advocate Vuyokazi Ntanda, 39, has been crowned Ms Commonwealth SA 2025 at a ceremony held at the Da Vinci Hotel in Sandton.
She will represent the country at the international pageant later in 2025.
Ntanda, a performance management practitioner, completed her schooling at Hlokoma High School and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Regent Business School. She is studying towards her honours qualification.
She said her early involvement in faith-based and community programmes in Mdantsane, including working as a children’s church teacher and participating in student organisations, shaped her commitment to youth development.
“Working part-time as a home sitter prompted my love for children and deepened my passion for nurturing and supporting young people,” she said.
Ntanda said entering the pageant was an unexpected opportunity she decided to pursue as a platform for advocacy.
“As a child, I imagined myself becoming a lawyer in the children’s court, fighting for justice and protecting those without a voice. That dream was rooted in compassion, and it still lives in me,” she said.
She views the Ms Commonwealth SA title as a platform to support educational development in rural communities.
Among her key initiatives is You Can Project, which organises career expos at rural high schools to provide grade 12 pupils with mentorship and post-school guidance.
“The aim is to inspire and prepare young people for life after school, and to help them realise what’s possible,” she said.
Building on this, she launched the Adopt a Grade 12 Learner campaign, which connects local businesses with pupils needing financial support.
Sponsors commit to covering university fees and, where possible, offer graduates employment opportunities.
Ntanda said the campaign was intended not only to uplift individual students but also to retain skills in the province.
She also runs a community feeding programme, operating a mobile soup kitchen that serves more than 200 people.
Daily Dispatch
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.