Nkhensani Mthombeni
Ndavi Nokeri, the newly crowned Miss South Africa 2022, has described her win as a groundbreaking moment for girls with rural backgrounds.
The 23-year-old beauty from Gavaza village in Tzaneen, Limpopo, said her victory affirmed to other village girls that their dreams are valid, regardless of where they come from.
Her family told Scrolla.Africa they still can’t believe that their child is Miss SA.
“When she was announced as the winner I was so happy and couldn’t hold back my tears,” her sister Fanisa said.
Fanisa added that she still hasn’t processed everything because she didn’t actually watch the announcement at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria like the rest of her family.
“I was deep in prayer interceding for my little sister,” she said.
Ndavi’s dad, Pastor Moses Nokeri, said: “I thanked God for the courage she had when responding to the judges’ questions. I hope and believe she will serve the country as she has promised by changing the lives of the less fortunate learners through working with the Miss SA team.”
In Gavaza community members poured out onto the streets to celebrate Ndavi’s triumph. They played Xitsonga music and performed cultural dances to honour the first Tsonga to win the title.
Ndavi has a number of pageant titles, which includes being the first black Miss Ben Vorster High School in 2016 and Miss Jozi 2019.
The young beauty took a leap of faith and resigned from her job at a risk management firm in Cape Town to focus on Miss SA. The odds were against her but she overcame them.
Figures of note who have already offered Ndavi their congratulations include President Cyril Ramaphosa and Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha.
Image source: @Citypress
