At just 14 years old, Aminathi Phandle has achieved what many only dream of — publishing a book and winning a national beauty title.
The grade 10 pupil at Umtata High School, originally from Libode near Mthatha, was featured in the Dispatch earlier this month after releasing her debut book, My Voice is My Superpower.
Last weekend she added another milestone when she was crowned International Miss SA at VodaWorld in Johannesburg. She will represent SA at the international finals in the US next June.
Phandle began modelling in 2016, encouraged by her older sister Simamkele, who was already active in pageants.
“I was only five years old at the time,” she said. “I don’t remember much, except falling on stage during one of my first shows. It felt huge then, but now it makes me laugh.”
The way she always stands up for what is right pushes me to believe in myself and to fight for what is right
Since then she has competed in several pageants, including Miss Mthatha Toddler, Miss Sparkle and Little Miss SA.
“I won the first two and finished as first runner-up at Little Miss SA,” she said. “Those experiences really helped me grow and taught me not to give up.”
She said she had closely followed the International Miss SA competition since it was launched last year.
“The way the contestants carried themselves inspired me so much. I promised myself that in 2025 I would enter — and now here I am.”
Phandle credited her family, friends and modelling agency for their support.
“Honestly, I could not have done it without them,” she said, adding special thanks to her modelling coach, Lihle Qhina.
“She is a strong mentor and leader. The way she always stands up for what is right pushes me to believe in myself and to fight for what is right.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to pursue mainstream commercial modelling and one day compete in Miss SA and Miss Universe.
“That’s a dream I will always keep close to my heart,” she said.
Her book, completed over a few months, aims to encourage young people to recognise danger, speak out against abuse and protect themselves from violence.
Her parents expressed pride in her achievements.
“They’re excited to see the young woman I’m becoming,” she said.
Her sister Simamkele, a former Miss Nyandeni finalist, said she was delighted to see Aminathi following in her footsteps.
She added that pageantry had helped her secure a bursary for her first tertiary qualification and she hoped it would open similar doors for her younger sibling.
Daily Dispatch
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