Ntando Sgudla is the happiest teenager in Mzansi!
The 18-year-old, who was crowned Miss Teen Universe First Princess 2022 last month in Dubai, has been declared an official ambassador of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
Minister Nathi Mthethwa recently met with the beauty queen, who was born in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga.
She told SunBuzz she is still excited and overwhelmed.
She said the crown is not for her alone but for all South Africans and Africa.
“This is such a huge achievement that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
“I’m happy that my hard work has finally paid off. The competition was tough, but I was well prepared,” she said.
Ntando said she loves pageants and modelling because she realised it’s not only about the glitz and glamour but about what you have to offer as a person, and the difference you can make.
“It has empowered me in so many ways. I have more confidence and more focus.”
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She said her friends and family are happy for her and she will always be grateful to them for supporting her.
She said she wouldn’t be where she is without the support she got from her mother Jabulile Sangweni (48), who she said is her pillar of strength.
Ntando said she will be taking a break for at least three years from pageants as she will be focusing on her studies.
She is a first year student at the University of Pretoria studying Town and Regional Planning and intends to be back in four years’ time to enter Miss South Africa. Her biggest dream is to be crowned Miss World or Miss Universe.
She said she is inspired by former Miss South Africa Ntandoyenkosi Kunene and Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi.
Ntando started entering pageants at the age of 14 and won her first national pageant at 15.
She has been crowned Miss SA Teen Ambassador 2019, Miss Teen Commonwealth Second Princess 2020, Miss Teen South Africa 2021 and Miss Teen Universe First Princess 2022.
Her mum Jabulile said: “I feel very proud and happy for her to have achieved so much at an early age.”
Mthethwa met Ntando in Tshwane on Thursday, 7 April and told her she has made Mzansi extremely proud.
