Meet your top 30
Janeke van Tonder
Age: 23
Province: Free State
Janeke grew up on a farm in the Free State near a small town called Hennenman. She has an honours degree in Consumer Sciences and works in Johannesburg for a media monitoring company. She describes herself as fun-loving and optimistic and says her best qualities are integrity, practicing altruism and being accountable. She would like to meet the Minister of Agriculture, Thoko Didiza, to discuss the impact of smallholder farms on the South African economy.
Chidimma Vanessa onwe Adetshina
Age: 23
Province: Gauteng
From Soweto, Gauteng, is a model, netball player and a Bachelor of Law student at Varsity College. She is passionate about sports and advocating for change on violence against woman and children and gender-based violence. She describes herself as ambitious, confident and optimistic. Her motto is “dreams are valid when actions are taken.”
Nokulunga Zungu
Age: 29
Province: KwaZulu Natal
From Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, holds a B Com business degree and is currently doing her honours degree at the University of South Africa. She describes herself as a child of God and gracious with a loving spirit. She would love to encourage the youth to prioritise education and also for the Department of Arts and Culture to invest in South African creatives.
Nobuhle Langa
Age: 26
Province: Mpumalanga
From Emalahleni in Mpumalanga, is an audit trainee aiming to register as a Chartered Accountant. She is the founder of the Langelihle Youth Foundation, has a Bachelor of Accounting Science from Wits University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy from IAS (Institute of Accounting Science). She describes herself as resilient, graceful, fearless and she would love to meet Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers, to discuss ways for citizens to give back to society.
Layla Zoubair
Age: 29
Province: Gauteng
Is from Kempton Park in Gauteng and is an outgoing and outspoken individual who thrives on challenges and exploring. She says she constantly seeks to push her boundaries and discover new things, driven by her inquisitive nature. Her curiosity fuels her passion for learning and growth, making every day an opportunity for new experiences and personal development. Whether trying new activities or engaging in meaningful conversations, she embraces life’s adventures wholeheartedly.
Sinenhlanhla Mthethwa
Age: 23
Province: KwaZulu-Natal
From Richards Bay in KwaZulu Natal and is a model and entrepreneur. She hold a psychology degree from the University of Zululand and runs her clothing business, Cassie M Clothing, full time. She describes herself as a go-getter. She hopes to curb woman-to-woman hate and spread the message of entrepreneurship to young people in order to fight unemployment.
Kebalepile Ramafoko
Age: 25
Province: Mpumalanga
From Emalahleni, Mpumalanga. She has a BA in Psychology and Languages and is currently pursuing her Honours Degree. She is also a skills development facilitator and is passionate about sports and youth empowerment. She strives to create equal opportunities for all, believing that sports can transform lives and build stronger communities. She describes herself as a determined, welcoming and fun-loving individual who enjoys making people laugh and showing up for others.
Danae Kukard
Age: 24
Province: Eastern Cape
From East London, Eastern Cape. She is a teacher and studied at Stellenbosch University. She considers herself to be strong-willed, hardworking, a go-getter and someone who thrives off connection. She is passionate about empowering the youth through mentorship, education, culture and sport.
Lethaukuthula Ayanda Maseko
Age: 24
Province: Gauteng
Aka the “Diamond From Daveyton” describes herself as a beacon of hope and resilience. Raised in Daveyton, Gauteng, she says she has transformed the pressures of her surroundings into a brilliant strength and that her story is a testament to the power of self-authorship; proving that one’s circumstances do not dictate their destiny. She says she shines bright, illuminating a path for others to forge their own paths and sparkle in their own unique way.
Madri van Jaarsveld
Age: 27
Province: Gauteng
From Boksburg, Gauteng, is a newly married businesswoman and has an accounting sciences degree from the University of Pretoria. She describes herself as hard working, loyal and resilient. She would love to continue her late mother’s legacy of servitude to the community of diverse abilities.
Shane Maloney
Age: 20
Province: Gauteng
Comes from Woodhill in Pretoria and is a B Com marketing and management science student. She is also a photographer and English TEFL teacher. She describes herself as “a warrior” and is kind and soft hearted and a person who cares for others more than herself. She would love to meet former Miss South Africa and Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Tebow to hear more about her new book A Crown That Lasts.
Naledi Matlakala
Age: 24
Province: Gauteng
From Midrand in Gauteng, is a B Com Law student with a BA (Psychology and Criminology) from the University of Pretoria. She describes herself as a highly spirited soul with a mission of “Information IS Transformation” and is committed to ensuring that this information (plus resources) is activated within South African communities through an accessible, inclusive and relevant approach.
Andrea Morrison
Age: 25
Province: KwaZulu-Natal
From Durban, KZN. She has a Bachelor of Education and an Honours Degree from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and is a high school English teacher. She says she can be very assertive when it comes to things she is passionate about. Her advocacy is bringing about equality amongst schools in South Africa.
Lebohang Khoza
Age: 27
Province: KwaZulu-Natal
Comes from Maritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, and is an educator of the performing arts. She is a choreographer and actor and has a BA degree in Performing Arts from the University of KwaZulu Natal. She is passionate and open minded and would love to elevate the spaces of education by introducing the element of performing arts therapy.
Mia Le Roux
Age: 28
Province: Western Cape
Was born in Sasolburg, Free State and raised in Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape. She is a marketing manager, model and part-time B Com Marketing student. She was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of one and says her community rallied behind her to give her the gift of hearing; inspiring her desire to make a positive impact and break barriers. She describes herself as resilient, dedicated, graceful and kind.
Ontshiametse Tlhopane
Age: 23
Province: Gauteng
Is a 23 year old aspiring model from Protea Glen, Soweto. She has qualifications in criminology inspired by her curiosity about why crime is committed. She is also the founder of #SafeHere, an organisation she plans to use to positively impact the lives of children. Friendly, kind and empathetic are words used to describe her character. She believes that everyone deserves opportunities and resources to pursue greatness.
Onalenna Constantin
Age: 26
Province: North West
From Potchefstroom in North West, has many talents. She is a model, a law student, entrepreneur and content creator. She wants to inspire through her story that epitomises resilience and grace. She describes herself as an unwavering woman. She would love to meet policy makers regarding the dire need for social workers in every school in order to ensure social justice for women and children.
Taahira Katz
Age: 25
Province: Gauteng
is from Nancefield in Soweto and has a degree in Social Science. She has travelled the world as an international model and has a passion for learning and engaging in new experiences. She would like to work with an organisation that focuses on the crisis around mental health. She has travelled the world as an international model and has a passion for learning and engaging in new experiences. She would like to work with an organisation that focuses on the crisis around mental health.
Palesa Lombard
Age: 25
Province: Gauteng
From Waverley in Johannesburg and says that she has always been a dynamic, high-achieving individual. She is a final year medical student interested in neurological pathologies. She speaks English and French fluently, while having a comprehensive understanding of Afrikaans, isiZulu and Sesotho. She loves to balance her creative, artistic abilities with her deep interests in science, achieved through biomedical science studies, creating artwork and being a professional model part-time.
Demoivre “Nolo Dee” Bjalane
Age: 26
Province: Limpopo
Comes from Monsterlus in Limpopo and is a media practitioner, model and MC. She specialises in brand strategy for individuals and organisations and is the founder of the non-profit Nfoundation. She has been nominated for the prestigious South African Heroes Awards and Emerge Africa Awards. She wants to inspire others with her innovative approach and dedication to creating positive change.
Nolene Spinks
Age: 23
Province: Eastern Cape
Is representing Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. She says she dreams big, works hard and rests very little. She is currently working as a Montessori preschool teacher. Her life’s goal is not only to live, but to live boldly, giving hope to others and helping where she can. She recently launched her first solo single Hou Bene Hou and aims to release her next song later this year.
Kayla Wagg
Age: 22
Province: Gauteng
Is a business owner and digital marketing student and comes from Johannesburg, Gauteng. She describes herself as determined, resilient and kind. She is married to her best friend, Darren Wagg, and together they have two dogs, Emma and Ollie. She says she is a family person that will do anything for the people she loves.
Denechia Lowings
Age: 24
Province: Gauteng
From Centurion in Gauteng, describes herself as hardworking and always aiming for higher outcomes; a go-getter and an independent woman who really wants to help those who have the desire to become more and truly make a change in their lives even if it seems impossible. She wants to inspire and share hope.
Kaylan Zeelie
Age: 21
Province: Eastern Cape
Is originally from Uitenhage, Eastern Cape, but now lives in Bloemfontein in the Free State, pursuing an LLB at the University of the Free State. She prioritises kindness, empathy and active listening, guided by determination and loyalty. She says that witnessing others thrive brings her immense joy.
Johaneske Pelzer
Age: 23
Province: North West
Is from Potchefstroom in the North West. She is a photographer and has an Honours Degree in Consumer Science in Fashion Retail Management from the North West University. She describes herself as a driven, creative and hardworking individual who finds joy in learning and connecting with others. She values simplicity, positivity and productivity and strives to make a meaningful impact in South Africa.
Felicia Modupe Lutendo Bajomo
Age: 27
Province: Limpopo
Hails from Shayandima, Thohoyandou, in Limpopo She has a background in health education and holds a Bachelor of Social Science from the University of Cape Town, a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health from the University of Pretoria and is currently a Master’s in Public Health candidate at the University of North Carolina. She describes herself as outgoing, resilient and a visionary and encourages young girls and women to not be afraid to break barriers.
Reinette Potgieter
Age: 26
Province: Mpumalanga
Hailing from Trichardt in Mpumalanga, has attained a B Ed Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching degree from the University of Pretoria. Currently, she is fully committed to her teaching profession. Describing herself as timeless, she endeavours to exemplify the grace and poise reminiscent of the late Princess Diana. She sees the youth as catalysts for societal change, inspiring progress and innovation.
Nompumelelo Maduna
Age: 29
Province: Gauteng
From Rockville in Soweto, is a marketer by profession, pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Johannesburg. She is also a saxophonist in the making. She describes herself as a soul that is generous, goal driven, hardworking and kind. “One day I want to perform in an orchestra in honour of my father who loved music,” she says.
Kirsten Khan
Age: 26
Province: Gauteng
From Johannesburg, Gauteng, is a model and has completed her studies for a diploma in architectural draughting from Damelin College. She describes herself as a compassionate, open minded and resilient person who handles herself and others with grace. She is passionate about mental health and believes the youth should be given the opportunity to be seen, heard and to pursue their dreams.
Sherry Wang
Age: 29
Province: Gauteng
From Sunninghill in Sandton, holds an honours degree in Bachelor of Arts International Relations from the University of Witwatersrand and currently works as an HR manager. She describes herself as bold, easy-going and attentive. She hopes to use her experience and knowledge, with the help of other organisations, to bridge the gap between circumstance and opportunity.