Side Dish actress lends a helping hand!

FORMER Side Dish actress Nonkuleko Sithole is standing up for victims of abuse.

The actress, who has also starred in shows such as Generations: The Legacy and Muvhango as a support cast member, has joined a beauty pageant called Ms Stellar World South Africa and is using it to help victims of abuse.

She played Dineo on SABC1's Side Dish.

Nonkululeko, who is from Pietermaritzburg in KZN, spoke to Daily Sun about joining the pageant and helping others.

"Having been in the limelight for almost my entire life as an actress, humanitarian and occupational health professional, I knew I was destined for greatness. The challenges that I've faced in my life have motivated me to be the person I am today. I was a victim of domestic violence and abuse during my youth, but I managed to break through and speak out.

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"When I started my journey in beauty pageants, I realised there were a lot of people who were going through what I was going through. National statistics on domestic violence have reported for 2023 over 15 000 women were victims of physical and sexual assault and more than 960 women were killed because of domestic violence-related cases," she said.

She said she's already been working with various orphanages to help victims, especially women, by educating them and letting them know how they can get their lives back together. Now, she said if she wins Ms Stellar World South Africa, she will continue the work.

"The plan is to continue to educate women and children to speak up and stand up for themselves. This will be done through my awareness campaigns. I will continue to help women advance their careers and promote education and sisterhood by initiating an edutainment organisation to bring back their self-esteem and confidence. My passion is in fighting for women's and children's rights," she said.

Nonkululeko's journey with helping women didn't stop at just joining a beauty pageant; she is also a second-year LLB student.

"This is why I have decided to combine my professional skills and influence for the betterment of the communities around me. I will make use of my experience and qualifications as an occupational health practitioner specialist with more than 20 years of experience and skills in the medical field.

"I have enrolled at the University of South Africa (Unisa) for an LLB degree. I'm currently doing my second year, specialising in health and family," the beauty queen said.

Nonkululeko has also been part of Miss South Africa Plus World 2021, where she won the title of Humanitarian Ambassador.

The finale of the pageant will be held on Saturday, 6 April, at Bloemfontein City Hall in Free State.