By Thabisa Ndzindzwa
Amampondo queen Smangele Kitana says she is on a mission to educate the nation about Mpondo culture after winning the crown of Indoni Miss Cultural South Africa 2022.
At the prestigious contest which took place in the Durban ICC on Friday, Kitana won not one but two titles.
Kitana, who hails from Bizana in the Eastern Cape, is now both Indoni Miss Cultural South Africa 2022 as well as Miss Ubuntu.
She had earlier been crowned the Eastern Cape provincial Queen Mpondo, after competing with other young women from different towns in July 2022 at Coffee Bay.
The 20-year-old from Ntlozelo location in Mbizana joined Inkciyo (an organisation that promotes virginity for young girls) at the age of 11 years.
“I was inspired by my aunt, from my father’s side, who grew up attending Inkciyo which helped her stay a virgin until she got married,” she told Scrolla.Africa.
Kitana said the main objective for joining the competition was to educate the nation about Mpondo culture, which she feels is not sufficiently represented.
“I have been to places where Amampondo people are ashamed of their culture because of the stigma attached to it,” she said.
She said winning the crown has humbled her, as the title does not only belong to her but to the whole Mpondo nation.
“I want Mpondo people to be proud of their culture and be free to be who they are.”
She said she wants to help Inkciyo groups from the Bizana area with imvunulo, or traditional attire. Most participants do not have it because it is expensive.
As Indoni Miss Cultural South Africa 2022, Kitana walked away with a study bursary worth R50 000.
