“Being different is actually my superpower …”
At just 12 years old, Empangeni Academy Grade 7 learner Snakhokonke Mavundla is already stepping onto stages bigger than crowns and titles. With a passion for dance and a growing voice in youth pageantry, she is preparing for Miss Teen Universe platform while still balancing school, family life and her personal dreams.
Snakhokonke describes herself as a young girl who believes that everyone deserves to feel confident and special – a value that has shaped both her personality and her pageantry journey.
Her journey began in Grade 4 at Engweni Primary School, when she watched other children confidently walking across the stage.
“I would see other kids moving so wonderfully on stage, and I fell in love with it,” she recalls. “I kept asking myself, if they can do it, what is stopping me?”
Although she felt emotional at the time, even crying at home because she longed to be part of it, that moment became the beginning of something bigger.
Her mother played a key role in encouraging her dream, showing her images of pageant queens and reassuring her that her time would come. From that point forward, her family became her strongest support system.
“I even cried because I wanted it so badly, but my mom told me not to worry – she would support me and make it happen,” she says.
For Snakhokonke, pageantry is about far more than appearance or performance. She says Miss Teen Universe represents an opportunity to inspire other young girls. “It is not just about crowns and dresses,” she says. “It is about being a role model for girls my age and showing them that they are enough just as they are.”
Receiving her current title remains one of the most emotional moments of her journey so far. “When I got the crown, I cried – not because of the sparkle but because I felt proud that people believed in me.”
Despite her growing pageant commitments, Snakhokonke remains committed to her education. She and her mother have created a structured routine to ensure schoolwork remains a priority. “School comes first, always. I do homework after school, then pageant practice. On weekends I study more.”
She credits her teachers who continue to play an important role in keeping her focused and supported.
Like many young competitors, Snakhokonke admits she was once shy. Pageantry, she says, has helped her grow in confidence and self-belief. “Before pageants I was shy and a little scared,” she explains. “Your heart is what makes you a real queen. Being different is actually my superpower”.
Beyond the stage, Snakhokonke is passionate about children’s confidence and access to reading materials. She believes books can help young people imagine brighter futures.
“Many children don’t have enough books and I think reading helps you dream big”.
As she prepares for the national competition, her goals go beyond just winning. “I want to make my family and community proud,” she says. “Even if I don’t win, I want girls to remember my message – that even at 12, you can lead and inspire.”
She also hopes to receive support from individuals and organisations willing to assist her journey through sponsorships and donations as she takes this next step.
This is what she hopes young girls everywhere will carry with them:
“You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to start. Be kind, work hard in school, and believe in yourself even when it feels scary. One day you will look back and be proud you tried”.
“Remember, a crown is just a crown. Your heart is what makes you a real queen”.
By Sinentlahla Mbokwe