By Amahle Radebe
14-year-old, Candy Sithole, from Tshelimnyama has just returned form India where she won the Teen Glam World International beauty pageant.
The Grade 9 learner from Queensburgh High school says India gave her a lot of learning. “India is a beautiful country, their countries culture is very different from ours from the way dress and for the spicy food, everything is hot from the weather to ice cream.”
Sithole has dreams of being a television presenter and says her mother has been an incredible coach since 2021. “I would like to say to young girls who want to start modelling that pageant modelling is a very hard and expensive sport. You need to give it your all and not let your background define you but let it inspire you to succeed in life.”
Her proud mother, Nokuphila Sithole, says she is really happy about the win, but mentions the struggles of raising funds. “I am a very happy and a proud mother today because even though I do not have a stable job, I was able to raise enough funds for my daughter to go to India.”
Pageant coach, Clive Hadebe, says that he Candy Sithole is likely going to win Miss South Africa in a few years to come. “Candy Sithole is such a humble soul who is well mannered and very professional at her age. She represented our country well and we are all proud of her.”
Candy says her journey continues as she hopes to win many more beauty pageants in years to come.
