schoolsthatrockCurro Academy Soshanguve is proud to announce that grade 11 learner, Bonolo Lelaka (16), was recently chosen to participate in this year’s Miss Teen United Nations South Africa pageant.
The United Nations Pageant is an international event that focuses on volunteer work and is aimed at youth empowerment. Each contestant (male or female) must have a background in volunteering work within their community.
The reigning Miss Curro Academy Soshanguve is passionate about charity drives at her school and in her community.
“From a young age, I’ve always accompanied my mom and dad to outreaches where we handed out food to the less privileged. Seeing how the children reacted always left me with a smile and that’s what got me involved in community work,” Lelaka said.
Last month, she donated clothes, socks, and shoes to the Katlehong Disabled Children’s Home as part of the Miss Teen United Nations SA finalist journey.
“I have received a lot of support from the school. Currently, a group of Curro learners are helping me to raise funds to buy blankets and toiletries for orphanage homes. It’s a bit difficult at the moment to do visits due to Covid-19 restrictions but I really hope we can reach a few homes soon,” she adds.
Chosen out of 2500 entries nationwide, Lelaka will now compete with 14 other contestants in the final pageant which takes place on the 25th of June 2021 in Johannesburg.
“I came across a social media post about the pageant and decided to challenge myself by entering.”
Contestants had to submit their entries digitally and judges relied solely on the footage and pictures to make a selection. Lelaka says that it was her self-belief and her confidence in front of the camera that got her this far.
Going into the finale, the young Lelaka is ready to take on the world. Her dream is to enter the Miss South Africa pageant and follow in the footsteps of former Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi.
“We are immensely proud of Bonolo’s achievement. Her passion for the community and her confidence is exactly what we aim to see in all our learners that we send into the world,” says Dr. Fannie Sebolela, Executive Head at Curro Academy Soshanguve. “We know that our young Bonolo will continue to touch many lives along her journey,” he adds. “I always try to learn from other people, especially my family, friends, and teachers. I am inspired by well-known personalities such as Thuso Mbedu, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, and Zozibini Tunzi but more than anything, God is always my number one,” Lelaka concludes.
Photos supplied
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