Dakalo Nevhudzivhadi (21) from Masakona village was crowned as the winner of the Miss Makhado Easter All White beauty pageant during a glittering crowning ceremony held at the Makhado Show Grounds on 30 March.
Dakalo says she feels very honoured to be crowned as the winner. “I couldn’t believe it when they called out my name. At some point, I just kneeled and thanked God. I am so thankful to Him for giving me this opportunity and the confidence to win such a highly competitive pageant. I’m very happy and proud of myself.”
She says that her own motivation and strength come from the encouragement she gets from her immediate family and friends. She thanked them for supporting and believing in her. “I am not only the child of my parents but of the entire community where I come from. There’s an African proverb that says: ‘It takes a village to raise a child’, and that’s exactly what has been happening with me.”
She says that her self-esteem and determination have improved greatly since she started modelling. “I have now become a confident young woman in the community, where many of my peers look up to me as a role model. My social experiences also help to shape and build me into becoming a better person who adds value to society.”
She does not, however, believe that one should focus more on modelling than on one’s education. “You need an education to fulfil your dreams. It is the most important of all, especially when you are chasing your dreams. I’ve always wished to own such a title since my childhood. I was not really motivated to try, until I came to realise that motivation was not what I needed, but the courage to step up, dream bigger, and believe in myself.”
She says that the competition has definitely boosted her self-confidence to move forward, and that nothing can stop her now from realising her dream of winning the Miss Universe title one day.
