Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
29 August 2022
Lerato Nogabe foundation hosted a Miss and Miss Teen eKasi 2022 on Saturday, 06 August 2022 at Sasol club in Embalenhle.
Lerato, a model from eMbalenhle who is also former Miss Mpumalanga 2022 finalist founded the non-profit organization.
She describes herself as a media power house because anything that has to do with media is her thing, inspired by her family whose been in the media space, her aunt who’s been doing modelling and her father who is a media enthusiast.
The pageant featured models from all over Govan Mbeki Municipalty, who all came together to compete for the Miss and Miss Teen eKasi 2022.
“I started modelling in 2015 and I was the first title holder for Miss eKasi teen when it was still ran by Thando Kobese who is the founder of Miss eKasi, so I decided to take over and bring it back this year 2022 as it was last hosted in the year 2019.
Changing a few things and a few rules so that it promotes authenticity and inclusivity which is something I advocate for as an individual,” Lerato said with passion.
According to Lerato hosting the Miss teen eKasi she said she wanted to give young women the same escape she had growing up because modelling saved her from a lot of things while she was still in school hence she figured to give back the same platforms she had back in her time.
Crowned Miss eKasi Teen 2022 is 15 year old Okuhle Ludude.
Okuhle said it feels amazing to be crowned Miss eKasi Teen and that she is more than ready for the journey as she has a great team behind her to make it interesting and fun.
Meanwhile Buhle Thalia Mahlaba (23 years) was crowned the Miss eKasi 2022.
According to Buhle throughout her journey she has learnt that respect is a core value in one’s everyday life and that there is nothing wrong with being your authentic self.
Buhle said carrying the Miss eKasi crown means she has to present herself well in order to be an inspiration to those coming behind her.
“Throughout my reign as Miss eKasi, I will be giving as much support to local organisations, business and also assisting with modelling classes to those who want to start their journey in modelling,’’ said Buhle the newly crowned Miss eKasi.
Zethu Gwebu was crowned Miss Personality Teen Ekasi 2022 meanwhile, Thando Masseque was crowned Miss Personality Ekasi 2022 and also the 2nd Princess of Miss eKasi 2022.
Various awards such as, public choice award, voice of eKasi, collaboration award, personality and photogenic awards were awarded to the contestants on the day.
The Lerato Nogabe Foundation aims at igniting, growth, love and unity in the community, bringing back people together to give back to the community.
The foundation aims to host the Miss and Miss eKasi yearly with the hope of getting more sponsors for the events.
Currently Lerato has been working with local brands together with her team that helped reached out to the community to make the event a success which she said was close to no funds.
